US issues warning, flights cancelled ahead of Nasrallah funeral

The US has warned its citizens to avoid parts of Beirut ahead of the highly anticipated funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the slain Hezbollah secretary-general, as major airlines cancel flights to Lebanon citing security concerns.

The US embassy in Beirut issued an advisory urging American citizens to steer clear of the Bir Hassan area, where the funeral is taking place, in the Lebanese capital on Sunday when tens of thousands are expected to attend Nasrallah’s funeral.

The embassy cautioned against travelling near the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, where processions may cause disruptions and where tensions remain high following protests over the recent barring of Iranian flights. 

The warning came as Emirates and Air France announced the cancellation of all flights to Lebanon on 23 February, fearing potential instability surrounding the event.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Airways has increased its flights to Beirut to accommodate an influx of supporters from Iraq, where Nasrallah commanded a strong following among the country’s Shia majority.

All flights from Baghdad to Beirut on Lebanese airlines have sold out, prompting Iraq’s Transport Minister Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi to add two additional daily flights starting from 21 February.

Nasrallah was killed on 27 September 2024 in an Israeli strike on Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut.

Following his assassination, Hezbollah secretly buried him due to security concerns, delaying the public funeral until it could ensure a massive turnout under safer conditions.

His body, along with that of Hashem Safieddine – who was seen as his likely successor but was assassinated just a week later – will be publicly honoured at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, in what Hezbollah has framed as a historic event for the country.

The funeral will include an address from Hezbollah’s new Secretary-General Naim Qassem followed by a funeral prayer service before Nasrallah’s body is transported to burial grounds near Beirut’s airport and Safieddine’s is laid to rest in his native south.

Lebanese officials caught between Hezbollah and US pressure

As Hezbollah prepares for a show of force, questions remain over whether Lebanon’s newly elected president, Joseph Aoun, will attend the funeral, a move that could anger Washington.

A Hezbollah delegation, led by MP Mohammed Raad, personally invited Aoun to the funeral last week. However, the Lebanese president faces intense US scrutiny, with Washington viewing his election as an opportunity to curb Hezbollah’s influence rather than align with it.

Attending the funeral could complicate Lebanon’s already fragile relations with the US, with Aoun likely to send a representative to the event instead.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also received an invitation, and his potential attendance is being closely watched as an indication of how Lebanon’s political elite will position themselves in the aftermath of Nasrallah’s assassination.

The Lebanese government has been embroiled in a debate over who will secure the funeral, with reports suggesting that the Lebanese army has insisted on handling security alone, rather than allowing Hezbollah’s armed units to take charge.

Local media have reported that Hezbollah secured guarantees from the army that no attacks or disturbances would take place during the funeral, though concerns persist that Israel may attempt to disrupt the event.

In response to security threats, Hezbollah has mobilised its supporters on social media, calling attendance at the funeral a religious and national duty.

The group has also provided transport and fuel subsidies to help ensure that supporters from across Lebanon can travel to Beirut.

Beyond being a farewell to its longest-serving leader, Nasrallah’s funeral is seen as a critical moment for Hezbollah to demonstrate its resilience following months of political and military losses.