Lebanon Denounces Telegraph Report Alleging Hezbollah Weapon Storage at Beirut Airport
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Lebanon has dismissed as "ridiculous" a report by The Telegraph alleging that Hezbollah is storing weapons at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport, announcing plans to take legal action against the newspaper.
Caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh criticized the article during a press conference on Sunday, stating that it "seeks to tarnish the airport's reputation."
Hamieh accused The Telegraph of using unreliable sources in its report about the airport and stated, "Lebanon will file a lawsuit against The Telegraph because its article aims to damage the reputation of the airport."
He added that Beirut airport has been subjected to a disinformation campaign for years and suggested that the British daily should have consulted the British Department of Transport, which conducted a field visit of the airport on January 22, 2024.
"This is the primary authority responsible for transportation matters at the airport," Hamieh stated.
Earlier on Sunday, the Lebanese Air Transport Union called the British media report "lies" and criticized the newspaper for endangering airport workers and passengers.
The union urged all Lebanese, Arab, and foreign media to visit Beirut airport with filming crews to verify the claims themselves, stating that the allegations are an "incitement to kill us."
Lebanon's caretaker Minister of Information, Zaid Makary, also condemned The Telegraph's report, accusing it of violating journalism ethics and principles.
Makary called on all media outlets to denounce the allegations and expose the motives behind the publication under current circumstances.
Meanwhile, the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza continues to impact the region. Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 last year following a historic operation by Palestinian resistance groups in retaliation for intensified atrocities against Palestinians.
Hezbollah has pledged to continue its retaliatory operations against Israel until the onslaught on Gaza stops. According to local health authorities, at least 37,598 Palestinians have been killed, the vast majority being women and children, and another 86,032 injured in the besieged enclave.