The big picture:
The protest movement followed the Lebanese authorities' blocking of a Tehran-Beirut flight on Thursday morning, which angered the Lebanese people. The Lebanese Roads Minister ordered the cancellation under pressure from the Zionist regime, which alleged that the plane was transferring funds to the Hezbollah resistance movement.
State of play:
U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus stated after her meeting with President Joseph Aoun in Beirut on Friday that Hezbollah should be excluded from Lebanon's future government. She emphasized that the inclusion of Hezbollah is a "red line" for Washington.
What they're saying:
Mohammad Raad, head of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc: "The U.S. envoy's statement is full of hate and irresponsibility."
Ebrahim Mousavi, a member of the Lebanese Parliament: "The Zionist enemy must not be allowed to imagine that it can encroach on Lebanese sovereignty at any time".
Go deeper:
Lebanon barred an Iranian airliner from landing in Beirut on Thursday following accusations by the Israeli regime that Iran was using civilian flights to funnel cash to Hezbollah.
Lebanese protest cancellation of two scheduled civilian flights from Iran to Lebanon
Hezbollah: Maintaining fair ties with Iran is in Lebanon’s interests
Iran condemns Israel threat against Iranian passenger plane, urges Beirut to remove obstacles
Mohammad Kazemi
seyed mohammad kazemi
