Israel insists Beirut flights go via Jordan-source

BEIRUT, Aug 21 (Reuters) Airlines resumed flights to and from Lebanon's war-damaged capital Beirut today, but at Israel's insistence all planes were routed through Jordan for security checks, a senior industry source said.

Lebanon's flag carrier, Middle East Airlines, announced it had resumed flights to all its destinations today. It said they would be routed through Amman where passengers would stay on board for a transit time ''not exceeding 50 minutes''.

It gave no reason, but a senior industry source said the enforced stop in Amman was a condition set by Israel, which is determined to stop Hizbollah guerrillas from re-arming after a U N-backed truce took effect a week ago.

''They say it's for security checks. It's not an acceptable reason. It's part of the pressure that is being put on Lebanon by Israel,'' said the source, who asked not to be named.

''It's absurd. I don't think Hizbollah is going to smuggle weapons or hostages or part of their leadership on a commercial flight,'' the source added.

Israeli, Jordanian or Lebanese officials were not immediately available for comment.

The first passenger flight landed in Beirut on Thursday after five weeks of fighting between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas in which the airport was repeatedly bombed.

The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the first foreign head of state to visit Beirut since the war, said every flight, including his own, required Israel's permission.

The first humanitarian flights Israel allowed to land in Beirut during the war were from Jordan and Egypt, the only two Arab countries to have signed peace treaties with Israel.

Israel bombed the airport's runways on July 13, a day after Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid.

Several subsequent raids hit fuel tanks and runways.

Lebanon has demanded Israel fully lift an air and sea blockade in force since the war began. Israel has vowed to do whatever is necessary to stop Hizbollah from getting new weapons supplies from Syria and Iran. Both deny arming Hizbollah.

REUTERS MS RN2131