Outrage amid ban on Iranian plane carrying Lebanese passengers

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
13 Feb 2025 22:29
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MP Ibrahim al-Mousawi called on all parties to raise their voices and hold relevant international institutions accountable to fulfill their duties in stopping Israeli aggression against Beirut airport.

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Protesters burn tires to block a road link to the international airport during a protest against statements made by US Deputy Special Envoy for Middle East Peace Morgan Ortagus after she met with the country's president, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 (AP)

Lebanese protesters blocked the road to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Thursday evening in response to the refusal to allow an Iranian plane to land, leaving its Lebanese passengers stranded in Tehran.

During the demonstration, youths set tires on fire at the airport entrance, while the Lebanese army worked to facilitate movement to and from the airport and attempted to restore order, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The director of Imam Khomeini Airport in Iran stated that the Iranian plane had not been permitted to fly to Beirut and noted that the Civil Aviation Organization was currently handling the matter to facilitate the flight as soon as possible.

Calls to protest and block the airport road spread across social media, condemning the decision, which came a day after Avichay Adraee, the spokesperson for the Israeli occupation military, posted on X, claiming that Beirut airport was being used to transfer funds to Hezbollah via Iranian planes.

Protesters are blocking the #Beirut airport road in protest of refusing to allow an Iranian plane to land, leaving its Lebanese passengers stranded in #Tehran.#Iran pic.twitter.com/pn6Vm6wr29
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 13, 2025

A Lebanese citizen stranded at Tehran airport addressed the Lebanese authorities after their flight was prevented from returning to Beirut, saying, "Our bags contain sweets and clothes," urging the Lebanese president, parliament speaker, and prime minister to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Commenting on the matter, MP Ibrahim al-Mousawi pointed out that "the Israeli enemy’s persistent violations of Lebanese sovereignty, coupled with the complicity of the international community—particularly the United States—have emboldened it to expand and diversify its aggressions."

"This is entirely condemnable and must be met with widespread denunciation from all in Lebanon," he underlined.

Al-Mousawi called on all parties to raise their voices and hold relevant international institutions accountable to fulfill their duties in stopping Israeli aggression against Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.

He further stated that Lebanese citizens, who had hoped for the reactivation of constitutional institutions, now expect the government to assume its responsibilities and take the necessary measures to ensure Lebanon’s sovereignty over all its public facilities, especially the airport.

The Lebanese lawmaker warned that failure to do so could embolden "Israel" to continue its aggressions unchecked.

Al-Mousawi emphasized that the Lebanese state, through all its institutions, must take full responsibility to resolve the matter, repatriate its citizens immediately, and reject Israeli threats under any circumstances.

He urged citizens and all those concerned with the country’s well-being to exercise deep awareness, and restraint, and allow efforts to resolve the crisis to proceed.

He also called for expressions of opposition to Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty to remain peaceful and responsible.