Moroccan plane lands in Beirut as direct air links restored after 21 years

A Moroccan plane landed in Beirut Sunday to restore direct airline links between the two countries after 21 years ago.

The Royal Air Maroc Boeing 737-700 arrived at Rafik Hariri International Airport carrying 60 passengers and returned an hour later to Casablanca with 23 people aboard.

Flights between Morocco and Lebanon stopped in 1984 at the height of Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.

"Our coming to Lebanon today reflects our confidence in Lebanon and the tangible progress that has been made on all fronts," Royal Air Maroc Chairman Ahmed Hennawi said.

He added that the new link will "boost tourist, economic, trade and cultural relations" between the two countries.

Royal Air Maroc will operate two flights per week and increase them depending on demand, AP reported. V.A.