ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

JULY 22, 2026 14:34

Updated: JULY 22, 2026 14:35

New security procedures aimed at restricting access to the Beirut Airport Surveillance Radar have triggered accusations of prejudice against General Fadi Kfoury, head of security at Rafik Hariri International Airport, from members of Lebanon Shiite community, according to an exclusive report published by L’Orient Today on Tuesday.

Kfoury, who assumed the role in January and has encountered notable opposition from Hezbollah circles, now faces a media campaign from members and backers of the Iran-backed group, the report stated.

The former leader of the Lebanese Army Intelligence Directorate strike force stands accused of bias against Shiite engineers at the airport. Several personnel with reported ties to the Amal movement were reportedly denied entry to the ASR department, the system used by air traffic controllers to monitor airspace and direct aircraft.

Kfoury implemented the step due to fears that Hezbollah might obtain sensitive data. The report follows his alleged detention of an unnamed traveler at the airport who was considered unwelcome in Lebanon and is set to be returned to their home country after questioning by military intelligence.

Airport sources told the publication that the radar department is an extremely sensitive area and that security measures apply to all personnel, not only Shiite employees, noting this reflects standard practice worldwide.

Airport accused of systematic campaign against Shiites

Although the measures are routine, figures linked to Amal and Hezbollah have charged Kfoury with sectarian prejudice, mainly against Shiites, and with following American directives.

He is conducting a systematic campaign against Shiites with a clear political agenda, an anonymous Shiite officer involved in airport security told the newspaper.

Qassem Qassir, an analyst close to Hezbollah, stated that events at the airport continue the broader campaign against Shiites across the country. He added that airport Shiite employees are more closely tied to the Amal Movement than to Hezbollah.

Despite the bias claims, Hezbollah political bureau deputy head Mahmoud Qomati explicitly threatened the airport last week. In a televised interview with Al-Manar he declared that no more planes will land in Beirut and no more ambassadors will remain in Lebanon. The warning arose amid requirements for Iranian citizens to obtain visas for Lebanon and curbs on Iranian aircraft entering Lebanese airspace.

Hezbollah spokesperson Youssef Zein told L'Orient-Le Jour that the party is not involved in the campaign against Kfoury, asserting it was driven only by independent internet users.

Lebanon rejects claims of Hezbollah smuggling network at airport

Charles Jabbour, spokesperson for the Lebanese Forces, maintained there is no campaign against Shiites and that Kfoury has no affiliation with the Lebanese military.

The equation is simple: Anyone determined to ensure the law is respected is systematically demonized and accused of working for Israel or the United States. His only offense is breaking free from the deep state embodied by the pro-Iranian party and fulfilling his national duties, Jabbour said.

Kfoury colleagues echoed Jabbour, arguing he became a target simply for working to halt Hezbollah and Iran smuggling activity through the airport, a role he received in 2023 after Israel threatened the airport unless the activity ceased.

Lebanon initially denied claims that Hezbollah operated a smuggling network from the airport, offering international journalists a tour of the facility in 2024. Despite Beirut efforts to reassure the international community, reporters noted they were barred from a key cargo depot and shown only a nearly empty storage facility. The tour followed reports by airport workers to The Telegraph about Hezbollah arms smuggling at the site.

Under Kfoury, the paper reported that several operations had already been stopped.