(VoA): Over 25 people have been detained by Lebanese police in the wake of an attack on a UN convoy that injured two peacekeepers, including the force's departing deputy commander. The Friday attack has been sharply criticized by officials.
Hezbollah members barricaded Lebanon's sole international airport for the second night in a row, causing the incident. Following the government's decision to bar two Iranian flights from entering the nation, they protested.
Security personnel dispersed the protesters who had reassembled along the airport road on Saturday with tear gas. Hezbollah had protested the government's decision by calling for a sit-in.
Ahmad al-Hajjar, the interior minister of Lebanon, acknowledged that the security services had made another arrest and that army intelligence had detained around 25 individuals. He explained that although individuals who were arrested were being held, the identity of the attacker would be ascertained through investigations.
A prompt and comprehensive inquiry into the incident has been demanded by the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). One of the wounded peacekeepers, departing deputy force commander Chok Bahadur Dhakal, was traveling to Nepal after finishing his assignment when the convoy was set on fire during the attack.
The attack also injured another Nepalese peacekeeper. The incident was sharply condemned by the United Nations, and Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general, condemned the brutality.
Joseph Aoun, the president of Lebanon, emphasized that security forces would take strong action against any attempts to destabilize the nation and promised that anyone involved would face consequences.
The perpetrators of the incident have not yet been recognized by authorities. Senior Hezbollah spokesman Wafiq Safa, meanwhile, insisted that the organization was not involved in the incident and called the attack on UNIFIL "unacceptable."
Because of the aircraft cancellations, the Lebanese government has been trying to make travel arrangements for its residents who are stuck in Iran. According to Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny, attempts were being made to return them home via Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's flag carrier, but Tehran had not yet given its approval.
Iran, in response, expressed its willingness to engage in "constructive talks" with Lebanon to restore flight operations. This was discussed in a phone call between the foreign ministers of both nations.
Israel has long accused Hezbollah of using Beirut’s airport as a transit point for weapons supplied by Iran. However, both Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities have denied these allegations.
Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation recently announced the temporary rescheduling of certain flights, including those from Iran, until February 18. The timing coincides with Israel’s deadline to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah’s obligation to vacate military positions in the area.
Despite the ceasefire agreement established in November and later extended, both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of violating its terms multiple times.
On Saturday, the Israeli military carried out an airstrike in southern Lebanon, targeting what it described as a senior Hezbollah militant from the group’s aerial unit.
The Israeli military alleged that the targeted individual had played a key role in launching drones into Israeli territory and had repeatedly breached the ceasefire terms.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that two people were killed and four others were wounded in the airstrike, which hit a vehicle in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region.
Israel and Hezbollah keep throwing accusations at each of violating the ceasefire. As the fight continues, worries rise over the possible outbreak of war within the region.
Lebanon and Iran are now at an amicable discussion of the flight issue while U.N. officials are calling for retribution regarding the attack against the peacekeeping convoy.
The Lebanese government is still under pressure to address both internal security problems and the larger geopolitical issues surrounding the nation.
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