Qatar Airways to defy Israeli air blockade on Lebanon

[bemildred]

DOHA (AFX) - Qatar Airways is to resume direct flights to Beirut tomorrow despite the Israeli blockade on Lebanon, a company spokeswoman said.

"We have asked for authorisation from the Lebanese authorities and they have given it. Therefore flight QR 422 is going to go to Beirut," said the spokeswoman, who did not wish to be named.

The spokeswoman said the three-hour flight from Doha was due to land in Beirut tomorrow at 3.30 pm (1230 GMT).

It will make Qatar Airways "the first international carrier to make a commercial flight into Beirut since the war ended", she added.

III

[wakeme2008]

1. Good for them,,,, do not allow Israel to rule the Middle East

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[acmavm]

2. Yeah, but never underestimate the Israeli government's natural

instinct to do something stupid and criminal. They still think that they rule the area and everyone should be cowering at their every demand and decree.

We'll just have to wait and see.

[Submariner]

3. Great almond-stuffed figs and Arab tea in first class

Yum....My favorite airline. I had to fly first class (no coach tix left) and they had it set up like a palace because so many rich oil sheiks flew first class with QA.

I doubt Israel will be so stupid as to shoot them down. But I thought that way when they knowingly attacked the USS Liberty too...Hmmmmm. It should be an interesting flight.

[ret5hd]

5. Yeah, I think I'd wait for the 2nd or 3rd flight myself.

[w4rma]

4. The oil spill has been settling to the bottom of the ocean. (nt)

[Kagemusha]

6. Hope they make it in one piece.

I'm not holding my breath.

[AX10]

7. What gives Israel the right to control Lebanon?

Oh, that's right, they don't have the right to do so.

[HuffleClaw]

8. even israel dare not shoot down a civilian airliner

they've already made themselves a pariah for their senseless slaughter in lebanon. to do such a thing would be folly. and indefensible.

[hogwyld]

11. Has that stopped Israel in the past

They seem to not care at all for world opinion.

[WHAT]

9. have you noticed?...

Israel is becoming dumber? and why?

I sincerely hope there will be a melding and dynamic outburst reminiscent of pre-Katrina New Orleans; otherwise, the total degradation would be painful. otherwise; the kibbutz experience, the reclaiming, the impulse toward "improvement" is nullified along with all the hot-heads and weeds.

The middle east will end-up with a cultured and confined perspective...domesticated and prey to the impositions of authority...vulnerable.

I really think this paradigm of hatred is imposed and not integral. The region shares the same geographic limitations and possabilities...an haiku, constrained and exuberant. Please, let the people of the region exceed their bounds and confine themselves to co-operation and mutual support...

You are here: globe...mapped territories are only the fourth dimension; time changes everything...

[bemildred]

10. Sources: Israel won't stop Qatari flights to Lebanon

---

Israel said it did not know of any official request from Qatar Airways, but the airline would be welcome to resume flights into Beirut as long as this was done in coordination with Israeli authorities.

Sources in Jerusalem said it would not try to prevent the flights using force, calling the Qatari plan "an attempt to return the region to normal routine."

Israel has refused to lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon, contending it needs to prevent Hezbollah guerrillas from rearming after the 34-day Israeli offensive that ended with an August 14 cease-fire.

Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, denied that Israel was enforcing a "blockade" of Lebanon, noting that airplanes and ships were entering and leaving Lebanon daily with Israeli permission.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/758154.html