UN Peacekeeping Force Vehicle Attacked En Route to Beirut Airport
Protests Erupt Over Ban on Iranian Planes Amid 'Weapons Transport Suspicion'
AFP and other foreign media reported on the 15th (local time) that the UN peacekeeping force deputy commander was injured in an attack by pro-Hezbollah protesters in Lebanon.
Firefighters burning vehicles of the United Nations peacekeeping forces stationed in Lebanon. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News Agency
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stationed in Lebanon stated that a vehicle heading to Beirut airport was attacked the previous night, injuring the deputy commander and setting the vehicle on fire. "We demand a complete and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and legal punishment for all perpetrators," it added.
A video posted on social media showed protesters holding Hezbollah flags attacking a man in military uniform and a man in civilian clothes near the burning UNIFIL vehicle.
AFP reported that Hezbollah supporters have been protesting for two consecutive days on the road to the airport in response to the recent ban on two Iranian planes landing at Beirut airport.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun promised on X (formerly Twitter) that "the government forces will not tolerate any forces that disrupt stability and peace," and vowed to punish those who attacked the UNIFIL vehicle the previous day.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of using Beirut airport to receive weapons support from Iran, but Hezbollah and Lebanese government officials have continuously denied this.
Israel and Hezbollah entered a 60-day ceasefire on November 27 last year, on the condition that both sides withdraw troops from southern Lebanon. The ceasefire was originally set to expire on the 26th of last month, but the deadline was recently extended to the 18th through U.S. mediation.
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