Large Public Reception for Georges Abdallah at Beirut Airport After Over 40 Years of Detention in France
Crowds of Lebanese citizens gathered at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport to welcome Georges Abdallah, who returned to Lebanon after more than four decades of detention in French prisons.
Photos of Abdallah were displayed in the vicinity of the airport, amid tight security measures that restricted the entry of journalists and family members into the main reception hall. Authorities also prohibited the display of partisan flags, banners, and posters within the airport premises.
Despite the restrictions, many attendees insisted on remaining outside the airport, expressing their refusal for Abdallah to be received in the streets, and instead emphasizing the symbolic importance of welcoming him at the official point of arrival.
Musical Performances and Limited Access Inside the Airport
Traditional music groups gathered outside the airport’s main gate, where patriotic songs were played while awaiting Abdallah’s arrival. Inside the VIP lounge, a limited number of family members were allowed entry, along with individuals who had been involved in advocating for Abdallah’s release in recent years through political and diplomatic efforts.
From Beirut to Qoubaiyat
Following the official reception at the airport, Georges Abdallah proceeded to the main gate, where he met with the large crowd gathered to greet him. He then headed directly to his hometown of Qoubaiyat, in northern Lebanon, where further local welcoming events are expected to continue.
