No Way Out

Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and arrested more than 25 people over the weekend, part of a crackdown on Hezbollah-led protests over Lebanon’s decision to block Iranian flights to the country, Reuters reported.

The weekend demonstrations, which have paralyzed access to the country’s only international airport since Friday, erupted after Israel accused Iran last week of using civilian aircraft to smuggle in cash to Hezbollah.

While Hezbollah and Lebanese officials have denied those accusations, the allegations prompted Lebanon to suspend flights from Iran, including one that held pilgrims.

In response, the Iran-backed Hezbollah called for a mass sit-in near the airport to protest “Israeli interference, diktats, and the violation of national sovereignty.”

Protesters burned tires and blocked roads leading to the terminal, with clashes breaking out between demonstrators and security forces.

Amid the unrest, a United Nations convoy was attacked near the airport Friday, injuring two peacekeepers. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) called for a “full and immediate investigation” into the attack, wrote Middle East Eye.

Lebanon’s new President Joseph Aoun, said the perpetrators “will receive their punishment” and warned that security forces “will not be lenient” with any attempt to destabilize the country.

Even so, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah criticized the crackdown, countering that the government should focus on “preventing the Israeli enemy from imposing its diktats” rather than dispersing a “peaceful sit-in.”

The flight ban has also strained relations between Lebanon and Iran.

On Friday, Iranian officials responded by barring Lebanese planes from repatriating dozens of its stranded nationals.

Meanwhile, Iran dismissed Israel’s allegations as a pretext for possible military action.