Qatar Airways on Sunday said it would resume direct flights to and from the Lebanese capital of Beirut next Monday in defiance of Israel's blockade on Lebanon, according to news from Doha, capital of Qatar.

"We will operate daily flights to Beirut tomorrow," announced company spokeswoman Salam al-Shawa, adding that it would be the first direct flight to Beirut by any airline.

"Flight 422 will leave Doha at 12:30 local time and arrive at 15:35 Beirut time," she said.

She said Qatar Airways had received approval from the Lebanese government, without mentioning whether or not the company had sought approval from the Israeli government, which has imposed an air and sea blockade on Lebanon since the conflict between Israel and Lebanese militia Hezbollah erupted on July 12.

The airline also issued a statement, saying the decision "comes after a series of discussions the company had with Lebanese authorities to alleviate the suffering of travelers to and from Lebanon."

Earlier, a spokesman for the Israeli military said it was unaware of any official request from Qatar Airways to fly into Lebanon. He also said that "in the current situation, all traffic into and out of Lebanon must be coordinated."

He was hopeful that all the restrictions on traffic would be lifted as soon as the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces were in full control of Lebanese borders.

Lebanon has suffered a huge economic loss due to the blockade. Since the end of the conflict on Aug. 14, Israel has given permission to two airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Middle East Airlines, a Lebanese carrier, to operate limited flights to and from Beirut through Amman, capital of Jordan.  

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2006)