26 arrested over Friday's attack on UNIFIL

Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar said 26 people were arrested after protesters attacked a convoy transporting U.N. peacekeepers to Beirut airport on Friday, injuring a top commander.

Ahmad Hajjar, speaking after a security meeting on Saturday, condemned the attacks and said the investigation is ongoing, with detainees being questioned to release the innocent and prosecute those responsible.

Demonstrators had blocked the airport road to protest Lebanon’s decision to revoke permission for an Iranian passenger plane to land, leaving dozens of Lebanese stranded abroad.

Lebanon banned the Iranian flight after Israel claimed Iran was smuggling cash to Hezbollah. Lebanon’s civil aviation agency cited “additional security measures,” rescheduling some flights until Feb. 18 — the deadline for Israel and Hezbollah’s ceasefire implementation, including a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.