BEIRUT - A leading member of Lebanon's ruling coalition called on Saturday for a ban on flights from Iran to Beirut airport, saying Hezbollah could be flying in arms from Iran.
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt called for the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Reda Shibani, and "a ban on the arrival of Iranian planes to Beirut because, maybe, they carry money and weapons" for Hezbollah.
Jumblatt also demanded, in a press conference, the "sacking of airport security chief" General Wafik Shqeir, over alleged links to the Shiite opposition group.
He showed reporters what he said was an exchange of mail between Lebanese Defence Minister Elias Murr and army intelligence services, about the discovery of surveillance cameras near the airport, which is close to Beirut's southern suburbs where Hezbollah has its headquarters.
Jumblatt said that Hezbollah put the cameras there "to monitor the arrival of Lebanese or foreign leaders, to kidnap or assassinate (people) on the airport road."
He charged that Shqeir allowed the cameras to be placed in the area because of alleged links with Hezbollah.
Jumblatt has repeatedly demanded that Hezbollah surrender its weapons.
Hezbollah, led by Hassan Nasrallah, says it needs to keep its arms to "resist the constant threat" posed by Israel.
