The UN and Lebanese authorities have condemned Friday’s attack, which came as Hezbollah supporters for a second night blocked the road to the country’s only international airport over a decision barring two Iranian planes from landing there.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has demanded an investigation after one of its vehicles was set on fire during the incident, which wounded Nepalese outgoing deputy force commander Chok Bahadur Dhakal as he was returning home.
Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar has called an emergency security meeting on Saturday at 11:00 am (0900 GMT), and said he visited two injured UNIFIL officers in hospital, emphasising “the Lebanese government’s rejection of this attack”.
Aoun also “followed up on developments regarding roadblocks, setting fires and riots, and issued directives to the army and security forces to put a stop to these practices”, the statement said, adding that the judiciary “has begun investigations on the ground”.
‘Absolutely unacceptable’
Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators, some hooded and carrying Hezbollah flags, attacking a man in military garb and another in civilian clothes near the torched UNIFIL vehicle.
“Such attacks are absolutely unacceptable... The safety and security of UN personnel and property must be respected at all times,“ the statement from spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of using Beirut airport to transfer weapons from Iran, claims Hezbollah and Lebanese officials have repeatedly denied.
Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said Thursday it had “temporarily rescheduled” some flights, including from Iran, until February 18 as it was implementing “additional security measures”.
The date coincides with the deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon and for Hezbollah to vacate positions there, under a ceasefire deal that began on November 27.
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