DOHA, SEPT 24 – Qatar Airways said today that it has suspended flights to Beirut until tomorrow as tensions rise between Israel and Hezbollah in the deadliest attack in nearly a year of cross-border fighting.
“Due to the ongoing situation in Lebanon, Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport until September 25,” Qatar’s national carrier said in a statement.
“The safety of our passengers remains our highest priority,” he added.
Israeli air strikes on Lebanon killed at least 492 people on Monday, including 35 children, according to a statement from Lebanon’s Ministry of Health.
Cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah began last October after Hamas and other Palestinian fighters launched an unprecedented attack on Israel.
Last week, Qatar Airways announced a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on its flights to Beirut after an explosion of a communications device, blamed on Israel, killed 37 people and injured thousands over two days.
Lufthansa of Germany, Air France and Delta Air Lines of the United States have also suspended flights to Beirut in recent days, with several airline services to Israel and Iran also affected. – AFP
