Lebanese authorities arrest 25 after attack on UN peacekeepers

Lebanon's Interior Minister announced that Lebanese authorities arrested over 25 people on Saturday after a United Nations peacekeeping convoy was attacked, injuring two peacekeepers. The attack occurred on Friday and has been condemned by both UN and Lebanese officials, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

The arrests followed a second consecutive night of Hezbollah supporters blocking roads leading to the country's only international airport in protest of a decision to ban two Iranian aircraft from landing. Interior Minister Ahmed Hajjaj told reporters after an emergency security meeting on Saturday that "Lebanese military intelligence has arrested more than 25 people," with one other person detained by security services, indicating a coordinated effort to address the unrest.

Minister Hajjaj emphasized that "this does not mean that those detained carried out the attack... but the investigation will determine who is responsible." The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has requested a "full and immediate investigation" after one of its vehicles was set on fire in the attack, injuring outgoing Deputy Commander Chok Bahadur Dhakal and a second Nepalese peacekeeper, highlighting the severity of the incident and the need for accountability.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun vowed that "the attackers will be punished" and stated that "security forces will not be lenient with any party that tries to disturb stability and civil peace." Tensions have been high in Lebanon this week after the Israeli military accused Tehran of using civilian aircraft to smuggle cash to Beirut to arm Hezbollah, leading to the suspension of Iranian flights to Beirut and escalating regional concerns.

Since late Thursday, the decision has sparked protests in the Lebanese capital, with a group of Hezbollah supporters blocking airport roads and burning tires. Tehran stated that Israel's accusations were a pretext for a potential attack, while Hezbollah and Lebanese officials denied that the airport was being used to arm the group. Iran said on Saturday that it was ready to hold "constructive talks" with Lebanon on resuming Tehran-Beirut flights, a day after it barred Lebanese planes from repatriating dozens of its nationals stranded in Iran, further complicating diplomatic relations.

According to the Lebanese military, demonstrations, acts of vandalism, and clashes between protesters and security forces took place in several areas around the airport on Friday. Hezbollah issued a statement on Saturday calling on its supporters to join a mass sit-in near the airport to protest "Israeli interference, orders, and violations of national sovereignty." Lebanese security forces cracked down on the demonstrations, firing tear gas and dispersing the crowds in the evening, aiming to restore order amidst the escalating tensions.