Israel to allow Qatari airline to fly to Beirut

JERUSALEM, Sep 4 (Reuters) Israel will allow Qatar Airways to resume direct flights to Beirut today despite an Israeli blockade imposed during the Lebanon war, an Israeli government official said.

''We have said that we will not act against this,'' the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters.

Qatar Airways announced yesterday it would resume its direct service to Beirut, despite Israel's demand that all such flights pass through Amman, Jordan for security reasons. The first Qatar Airways plane is due to land in Beirut at 1900 hrs today.

Lebanese Transport Minister Mohammed Safadi told reporters yesterday the government favoured opening Beirut airport to any planes willing to ignore Israeli restrictions.

''The position of the prime minister (Fouad Siniora) and my position too is that Beirut international airport will be ready to receive any planes that want to break the air blockade,'' Safadi said.

Israel has kept an air and sea embargo on Lebanon since its 34-day war with Hizbollah ended on Aug. 14. Israel says the blockade is aimed at preventing the guerrilla group rearming.

Last month, it allowed Lebanon's Middle East Airlines and Royal Jordanian to fly to Beirut on condition their flights passed through Amman.

REUTERS KR BS1359