Bahrain suspends flight to Lebanon

NATIONAL carrier Gulf Air has suspended all flights between Bahrain and Lebanon effective Tuesday March 22

It has also extended its suspension of flights to Iran and Iraq until the end of the month.

The move follows statements made about Bahrain by the leader of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, which prompted an angry response from the Bahrain government.

Authorities in Bahrain said they would hold the Lebanese government responsible for any fallout from his comments.

“The decision has been taken following the ongoing situation in the region and the consequent reduction in passenger demand,” Gulf Air said in a statement on its website, explaining the suspension of flights to Lebanon.

It added passengers holding confirmed tickets during these dates could rebook on a later Gulf Air flight up until May 31 at no additional charge.

Gulf Air suspended its flights to and from Iraq and Iran last Thursday, but initially said they would resume as normal on Monday.

However, it said yesterday those flights would now be suspended until March 31, but did not explain the reason.

This action by Bahrain national carrier comes after Bahrain issued a travel advisory banning its citizens from traveling to Lebanon it also urged its citizens that are living in Lebanon to leave immediately

During a televised speech via video link on Saturday evening Hezbollah ‘s Nasarllah called the events in Bahrain a “special injustice”. Nasrallah asked whether Arab silence about the repression of protests there is due to sectarian prejudice against the Shiite-majority opposition.

“I ask some in the Arab and Islamic worlds: Why have you remained mum over the tyranny against our people in Bahrain, is it only because they are Shiites?”

He also said Hezbollah is ready to help the protesters

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri warned on Monday against using Lebanon’s domestic conflict to inflame conflicts in Arab countries.

Political analysts contacted by Ya Libnan expressed concern about the future of Lebanon and its economy , if the Hezbollah led opposition will be governing the country.