WASHINGTON and BEIRUT — The government of Lebanon is warning that a Russian military maneuver being conducted this weekend "will have a direct effect on Lebanon's airspace and will bring air traffic to and from Beirut's airport to a complete halt."
According to a post on the Lebanese government's website, "specialized authorities at Rafik Hariri International Airport received information from the Russian navy notifying them that they will be carrying out training and maneuvers for three days, starting midnight tonight."
"Lebanon will conduct negotiations with Cypriot authorities to provide a temporary air route," the posting reads. "However, even if the Cypriots agree to that, most airlines will suspend their flights to and from Lebanon due to logistical factors."
Lebanese Transport Minister Ghazi Zeaiter confirmed that Russia had asked that flights from Beirut be diverted from the area of the Eastern Mediterranean where the exercises are occurring.
Zeaiter said Beirut had "reservations about the Russian request and was studying it."
Col. Pat Ryder, spokesman for US Central Command, told reporters he had no information about the exercises, and said there has been no communication from Russia to US forces about their plans.
The demand from Russia that Lebanon close its airspace appears to be the government of Vladimir Putin muscling its way in on a key US ally in the fight against the Islamic State group, commonly known as ISIL or ISIS.
At an Oct. 30 meeting to announce the Pentagon's new strategy in Syria, a senior US defense official identified "reinforcing" Jordan and Lebanon as a key focus area for the next year. That includes ongoing funding for the two nations, with Jordan, in particular, benefiting from "hundreds of millions" of dollars.
Lebanon has since been cleared by the US State Department to purchase six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.
Over the last week, Russia has increased the intensity of its strikes inside Syria, including the use of air-launched cruise missiles and the first use of the Tu-160 strategic bomber in combat operations.
Russian officials confirmed that a bomb was responsible for the Oct. 31 downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 over Sinai, Egypt, which killed everyone on board. ISIL has claimed responsibility for that attack and has threatened further actions against Russia, the US and Europe.
Email: amehta@defensenews.com
Twitter: @AaronMehta
Aaron Mehta was deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, covering policy, strategy and acquisition at the highest levels of the Defense Department and its international partners.
