Amman - Royal Jordanian Airlines, Jordan's national carrier, suspended flights to Beirut for Friday morning in light of ongoing violence there, a company spokesman said Friday. The airline said it was leaving the "door open for resuming flights to the Lebanese capital in case the reasons hindering the arrival and departure of passengers from Beirut airport were removed."
The decision followed gunfire and clashes across Beirut between Hezbollah and government supporters after a week that saw tensions rise as the government replaced the Beirut airport security chief for alleged ties to Hezbollah, labour groups went on strike against government economic policies and the government launched an inquiry into Hezbollah's communications network, which the Shiite group's leader called "a declaration of war."
Royal Jordanian usually operates three flights from Amman to Beirut daily, the airline spokesman said.
In a related development, the Jordanian embassy in Beirut has asked Jordanians in Lebanon to leave their addresses with their diplomatic mission.
"The embassy is also ready to ensure transportation for Jordanians willing to leave Lebanon for Amman," an unnamed Jordanian official was quoted as saying by the state-run Petra news agency.
