Lebanese Denounce Reagan Vow to End Air Service to Beirut

Lebanese officials today called President Reagan’s vow to isolate Beirut airport “deplorable” and said the United States should instead help Lebanon end its decade-long civil war.

“How can a great power like the United States punish the whole Lebanese people who have done no wrong?” said Hussein Husseini, Speaker of the Lebanese parliament.

“Instead of seeking to support Lebanon to end its crisis and help the government in imposing security on its territory, the United States is targeting Lebanon’s government and the population,” said Husseini, who is a Shia Muslim.

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, Abdullah Bouhabib, was to lodge a formal protest over the action with Assistant Secretary of State Richard W. Murphy later today.

Another official said isolating the airport would “reward the terrorists by undercutting the little potential left” for the legitimate Lebanese government to curb the cycle of violence.

“Would the Reagan Administration seek to close a Canadian airport because there were reports the bomb that blew up an Air-India jumbo jet in midair was smuggled aboard while the plane was on Canadian territory?” the official asked.

7 Hijacking Actions in Year

The run-down beachfront Beirut airport has been targeted or used as a springboard by hijackers seven times this year, the most recent one the June 14 hijacking of TWA Flight 847.

In what a State Department official called “the beginning of a campaign,” Reagan on Monday ordered a termination of both U.S. landing rights for Lebanon’s national carrier, Middle East Airlines, and authority for air cargo service between the two countries by either U.S. or Lebanese carriers. (Story on Page 6.)

Reagan also encouraged European countries to refuse landing rights to Middle East Airlines.

“We recognize that our security is not a healthy one. The airport situation leaves a lot to be desired,” said Education Minister Salim Hoss.

‘Harms America’s Image’

“But (Reagan’s decision) is deplorable because it will affect everybody in Lebanon. It is indiscriminate in its effect,” Hoss said.

“I ask the U.S. Administration to reconsider the measure and not carry it out--because it harms America’s image as much as it harms Lebanon’s economy, particularly after 10 years of war,” Finance Minister Camille Chamoun said.

“Today Lebanon is in desperate need of a friend’s assistance and this friend should be Mr. Reagan,” said Chamoun, a Maronite Christian and former Lebanese president.

Selim Salam, chairman of Middle East Airlines, said Reagan’s action could put the carrier out of business. The airline makes twice-weekly flights to New York.

‘Would Lose Our Pants’

“I am very sad,” Salam said. “We are already losing a lot of money. We are already losing our shirts. If we were denied European capitals now, we would lose our pants.”

Beirut airport, which has long been abandoned by foreign airlines because of its lax security, handles about 1,250 passengers daily.