Berri: Tehran-Beirut flight tension should be resolved via negotiation
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri emphasized that a recent dispute between Tehran and Beirut over flights must be resolved through direct dialogue between the two countries.
Nabih Berri told the Lebanon’s Al Joumhouria newspaper that the issue surrounding Tehran-Beirut flights should be resolved responsibly and wisely. He stressed that mistakes in this regard could plunged Lebanon into tensions that the country does not need. Berri also asserted that it is absolutely unacceptable for Israel to make decisions for Lebanon, particularly as it tries to prevent Iranian planes from landing in Lebanon.
“We are not Israel’s colony, and we will not become one,” Berri firmly stated. “We reject any foreign dictates that may harm our national sovereignty.”
On Thursday, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it had “temporarily rescheduled” some flights including from Iran until February 18 as it was implementing “additional security measures.”
However, Lebanese authorities extended the suspension of inbound and outbound flights to Iran indefinitely. On Friday, two Iranian flights were barred from landing in Rafic Hariri international Airport – a move that has sparked several protests by the Lebanese people in Beirut.
Iran said in turn it would not allow Lebanese flights to land until its own flights were cleared to land in Beirut.
The developments coincided with Israel’s threats against Iranian planes landing in Lebanon.
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee had warned the army was prepared “to thwart” any attempts to transfer funds or weapons to Hezbollah resistance group in Lebanon.