Outgoing United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) force commander Lt.-Gen. Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz was injured on Friday after a convoy taking peacekeepers to Beirut airport was “violently attacked,” UNIFIL said.
Hezbollah supporters attacked the convoy of Lázaro as it tried to make its way to Rafik Hariri International Airport.
Protestors claimed their goal was to secure the return of citizens stranded in Iran and block external influences on the Lebanese government, Hezbollah-owned Al Manar reported.
UNIFIL demanded a full and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and for all perpetrators to be brought to justice, it added in a statement.
At least one UNIFIL officer was injured in the incident after Hezbollah operatives attacked the vehicle marked with the UN logo, beating the people inside.
The Lebanese LBCI network reported that four UNIFIL personnel were attacked. Three fled to the airport, and the fourth was taken to a military hospital.
The attackers used iron rods, set fire to at least one vehicle, and shouted “Shiite, Shiite” during the attack, Lebanese media reported.
Social media footage showed protestors waving Hezbollah flags, blocking the road and setting fires on it.
The Lebanese Army warned Lebanese citizens from participating in the riots, saying it created dangerous internal tension during a critical period for the country.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attack and expressed support for UNIFIL.
إطلاق #رصاص حي من قبل الجيش اللبناني على المتظاهرين على طريق #مطار_بيروت مش هيك يا #وطن بانتظار المشهد الاخير.اكتر من أي وقت مضى #مع_حزب_الله pic.twitter.com/m9uTWu2HLM
— khodor Atef Hamieh (@HamiehKhodor) February 14, 2025
Freeing Lebanese citizens in Tehran?
Supporters of Hezbollah have been protesting against the Lebanese government since the decision to block an Iranian passenger plane from landing on Thursday due to allegedly carrying Iranian agents who were planning to provide Hezbollah with more money to rebuild their forces.
Lebanon took the decision after IDF Arabic Spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced that Iran’s Quds Force had been smuggling cash to Hezbollah through civilian planes in contravention of the ceasefire agreement.
Iran responded by then blocking Lebanese planes from landing in Tehran on Friday, citing the “Israeli threat,” saying it would reverse the decision once Iranian planes were permitted to land in Beirut.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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