Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. (Credit: AFP archives)
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Saturday that the attack on the UNIFIL convoy on Friday night, during which two peacekeepers were injured and a vehicle set on fire, is "a crime against Lebanon." Speaking from the Baabda Palace after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, he denounced "a demonstration that was far from peaceful." "Anyone who disrupts security must be severely condemned," he said. And while Salam stated that freedom of expression is sacred, he insisted that "attacking property and blocking roads is unacceptable."
At the same time, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Hezbollah activists were holding a third sit-in to protest against the ban imposed on Iranian airlines from landing in Lebanon.
Tensions flared again on Friday night for the second consecutive day in the streets of Beirut’s southern suburbs, amid anger from Hezbollah supporters following the authorities’ ban on Iranian planes suspected of transferring funds to Hezbollah from landing in Lebanon. A UN Interim Force convoy heading to the airport was attacked, and two Nepalese peacekeepers were injured. UNIFIL said it was "shocked by an outrageous attack on peacekeepers who have worked to restore security and stability in southern Lebanon."
On Saturday, at least 25 people were arrested by Lebanese army intelligence services, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said.
Passenger security, 'A red line'
Nawaf Salam assured that Lebanese authorities were continuing talks with Iran, as Lebanon had committed to repatriating national passengers. In this context, Iranian diplomacy declared itself "ready for positive discussions with Lebanon regarding the resumption of flights. "Passenger security is a red line," the prime minister reiterated.
"If some believe that attacking UNIFIL will ensure that the Feb. 18 deadline is met, they are mistaken," Nawaf Salam continued. Feb. 18 is the deadline for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon. After attempting to stall and delay its departure from southern Lebanon, the Israeli army is reportedly prepared to withdraw from Lebanese territory and transfer areas to the Lebanese Army within the timeframe set by the cease-fire agreement mediated by France and the United States, according to a senior Israeli security official.
Israel has reportedly pressured the Lebanese government to halt flights from Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Citing anonymous sources, the American newspaper claims that the plane scheduled to land in Beirut on Thursday was carrying "funds destined for Hezbollah" and that flights between Iran and Lebanon have been suspended until Feb. 18 in both directions. This information was confirmed to L'Orient-Le Jour by an informed source.
In retaliation, Tehran announced that it had banned Lebanese planes from repatriating dozens of stranded Lebanese nationals, adding that no aircraft would be allowed to land in Iran as long as Iranian flights were not welcome in Beirut.
On a completely different note, Nawaf Salam announced that his government's ministerial declaration will be ready on Monday.
