Passengers wait at Beirut airport. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — Beirut international airport will halt all flights for four hours on Feb. 23, from noon to 4 p.m., during the funerals of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and his designated successor Hashem Saffeddine, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced on Saturday, adding that flight scheduled will be adjusted accordingly.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem confirmed the funerals' date and location in a speech on Feb. 2. Hassan Nasrallah was assassinated on Sept. 27 of last year in an Israeli strike, which dopped 80 tons of cluster bombs targeting a Hezbollah command center in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Several senior Hezbollah officials were also killed with him. In a similarly massive attack, Israel killed Hashem Saffeddine, Nasrallah's designated successor, on Oct. 3 of last year.
The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon also issued a statement urging American nationals in Lebanon to take extra precautions on the day of the funeral.
"U.S. citizens should avoid this area [Beirut, Bir Hassan, near Beirut airport], which includes the airport, during the announced events." the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon said Tuesday, adding that "citizens should exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings."
Iranian planes denied entry to Lebanon
On Feb. 13, Lebanese authorities banned an Iranian plane from landing in Beirut, after the U.S. relayed a warning that Israel might strike the airport if the plane arrived, a Lebanese security source said Saturday.
A second flight scheduled for the following day was also denied entry, leading to protests from Hezbollah supporters who blocked the road leading to airport.
Lebanon announced on Monday the indefinite extension of the suspension of flights to and from Iran.
Tehran expressed openness to "constructive discussions" with Lebanon on resuming flights. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghshi and his Lebanese counterpart, Joe Rajji, discussed ways to resolve the issue, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Israel has long accused Hezbollah of smuggling funds from Iran via Beirut airport, a claim denied by Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities. A fragile cease-fire has been in place in Lebanon since Nov. 27, after more than a year of hostilities and two months of open war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The deadline for the implementation of the cease-fire deal, including a full Israeli withdrawal, was expected to expire today. Nonetheless, Israel is pushing to maintain its occupation of five key strategic locations in Lebanon, something that the Lebanese authorities have categorically refused.
