First commercial flight arrives at Beirut airport

Two passenger planes flew into Beirut from Jordan on Thursday, marking the first commercial flights to land at the country's only airport since it was attacked and forced shut by Israel last month. The IDF said it had coordinated the aircrafts' arrival, but warned their landing did not constitute an end to the air blockade. Israel said the permission to land had been granted for the two flights on Thursday only, but no explanation was given and no other details were immediately available. A Middle East Airlines passenger jet landed at Beirut airport first and was followed by a Royal Jordanian airliner.