Roads blocked with burning tires at Beirut International Airport's main road on 7 May 2023. (Courtesy of Michel Hallak/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The main road to Beirut International Airport was briefly blocked by individuals burning tires at the airport army checkpoint. This was done as an act of protest against the continued detention of Lebanese national Haider Salim in Saudi Arabia.
The Traffic management center confirmed the road closure on its Twitter account.
Those going to the airport were unable to pass the army checkpoint in vehicles. As a result many were seen carrying their bags across and walking to the airport.
Salim’s family had previously stated that their frequent closure of the airport road comes “in light of the latest developments" and false promises to "solve the problem." This was after the Saudi judiciary ruled a term of five years of imprisonment against Salim.
Salim was allegedly arrested while performing Hajj in 2022 after a video circulated on social media depicting him chanting a prayer that is not accepted in Saudi Arabia, according to local media.
His relatives have frequently blocked the road leading to the airport as a way of getting the Lebanese government's attention, in hopes that action be taken for his release.
Reporting contributed by Michel Hallak.