Reports: Hizbullah Denies Link to Crashed Baalbek Reconnaissance Plane

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Conflicting reports have emerged over the nature of the object that crashed in the Bekaa region of Baalbek on Saturday, with some claims saying that it is a Hizbullah reconnaissance plane.

Voice of Lebanon radio had reported on Saturday that the plane in fact belongs to the party, while Hizbullah later denied to the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat having any links to it.

The daily al-Mustaqbal reported on Sunday that the crash was a result of a failed attempt by the party to launch a drone in the Younine region in Baalbek.

The attempt failed less than a minute after the plane’s take off, it said.

It exploded in the air and crashed on fire where it caused a major blaze in the area, stated the daily.

It added that the attempt is part of a number of maneuvers by the party to try out drones.

Hizbullah members immediately cordoned off the crash site, preventing anyone from entering the area.

The burned drone was transported to an unknown location and the crater that was caused has been filled in, reported al-Mustaqbal.

A security source meanwhile denied to the daily An Nahar that the object was a Hizbullah drone.

It said that the object was in fact a balloon attached to a circular base and metal cable.

The object is able to take off in the air by a candle that is lit inside the balloon, it explained.

The object is able to remain in the air for five to ten minutes, it continued.

Furthermore, it said that the object is readily available in the Lebanese market.

An Nahar added that security forces and civil defense teams headed to the area of the crash soon after it happened.

Comments 21
Default-user-icon Madz (Guest) 15 July 2012, 09:49

Yeah right these things dont crash... they are made of paper... I sell them from Thailand.

Thumb jcamerican 15 July 2012, 10:00

Is this a joke? Too many contradicting reports. Balloon with a candle? Major blaze? Good luck on getting your news straight.

Thumb shab 15 July 2012, 11:32

It was their saviour the Mehdi who descented from the skies to save the Shiites, but got shot by accident by the Syrian army.

Default-user-icon Joe (Guest) 15 July 2012, 12:06

@Tony,

You know you can say Hezbollah. When you say Shiite, everybody assume you're trying to inflame. Problems in Lebanon are not sectarian... they're political. Read that again. Most Lebanon love its diversity, don't that dosen't see it, are ignorant, by the simple fact that one wouldn't know where they stand, or what they mean if it weren't for other that are different. Embrace Shiites, Sunnies, or any other sect that is different than you.

You're one of the few that still live in the 70's.

Default-user-icon LEB (Guest) 15 July 2012, 12:45

Allah yehdikon 3a hek comments ...

At least the Shia have the courage and the heart to fight your wars and battles for you while you sit in your Verdun cafes smoking your cigars and aragheel judging everyone and everything except your own failures.

I dont see you or your leaders in the South fighting to free your land or is the South not Lebanese. I wonder how you would feel if Tripoli or Beirut was occupied by Israel and the Shia were the ones calling you names and putting you down showing no support or respect. Problem is if that ever happened, the Shia will also be the ones fighting your wars and battles for you.

You talk about Harb Ayar ... your so called leaders played with fire and got burnt by following the instructions that were handed down to them from their US and Israeli masters. Get over it and move on

Again Allah Yehdikon

Thumb lebanon_first 15 July 2012, 13:42

yeah right... a balloon. Lovely... Like paris in 1780...

Only here if the balloon and its lovely candle crash, we have the whole military operation of HA flexing their muscles and cordonning off the area...

HA are testing new stuff. Like the iranians are trying nuclear bombs, HA are toying with drones. If this trial didnt work, the next one will... Israel tremble... Soon you will have to return Jerusalem... Soon all you jewish settlers will return to the danube valley...

Missing samiam 15 July 2012, 14:26

They learned their press statements from the Syrians--deny everything and admit nothing.

Default-user-icon LEB (Guest) 15 July 2012, 16:03

It's funny how Naharnet sensors all the comments I make just because I speak the truth ... and you call yourself unbias lol

Default-user-icon bangbang (Guest) 15 July 2012, 16:10

this is hillarious
what a jok

Default-user-icon Nehna Moukhassna (Guest) 15 July 2012, 18:10

It's a plane! No, it's a balloon! No, it's a fil tayer a la libanaise. Regardless, it is Hizballah as March 14 know-it-alls know.

Default-user-icon DJ (Guest) 15 July 2012, 18:17

what's the big deal? So they're building a drone. Good luck boys. Keep up the good work.

Thumb beiruti 15 July 2012, 18:24

Look it was a bird, no a plane, no it was SuperHassoun!! A flying carpet maybe?

"Hizbullah members immediately cordoned off the crash site, preventing anyone from entering the area." Says it all. Another failed Hezbollah effort to spy on fellow Lebanese. They are not only a pack of liars, but are incompetent liars.

Default-user-icon G A (Guest) 15 July 2012, 19:04

The world keeps advancing but all of you enlightened folks keep talking about Shia and Maronites-- come out of the dark ages-

Deism.com

Thumb extramildcake 15 July 2012, 22:29

Oh, how I can predict the comments on Naharnet. Same comments, over and over again, in every article.

Thumb fadi_albeiruti 15 July 2012, 23:07

WTF is a balloon powered by a candle? that must be a one huge candle, lol, just when you think you've heard/seen it all, only in Lebanon.

Default-user-icon Maxx (Guest) 16 July 2012, 00:09

Jeez, where do you people live, you who are laughing at balloon-candles? They're called "Flying Lanterns", they've been around in China since times before Christ, they've been in Europe by the Middle Ages, and they're launched in coastal cities worldwide (in civilized countries; in lesser civilized countries they don't think of fire hazards) every year within festivals, such as the Chinese New Year, or the Feast of the Moon. They even appear in contemporary pop culture, like in one of Pink's video-clips or in Disney's "Rapunzel". I can't stand the Fascism of Hizb-Allah either, and for all I know at this moment, they may very well have been testing out a drone (possibly a gift from a Baschar short on manpower?), but the flying lantern alibi can be given the benefit of the doubt, and will not on its own upset the version of the story that Hizb have presented.

Missing kiserwanyaseel 16 July 2012, 01:36

this was a hot air balloon being tested by hizbullah for one of two reasons: 1. in case hasan nasrallah needs to flee from lebanon, he is planning on leaving by a hot air baloon. and/or, 2. hasan nasrallah plans on being santa clause and fly over aoun supporters and drop them gifts for christmas. any other explanation is lunatic and does not make sense. ah hum..

Missing un520 16 July 2012, 05:22

So Hizb deny link to this unidentified once flying object. So what are the alternatives? If it was israelian it would have been reported by Hizb right away and Lebanon would have filed an complaing to the un. It most certainly isnt syrian as they have enough spies on the ground in Leb to do the job. The Lebanese army is not at this advanced stage. That leaves us with Hizbollah.

Thumb justice 16 July 2012, 07:42

The key word here is "preventing" security forces from getting close to the scene!!!!! Who is above the law here? I just imagine if i am an officer/soldier in the Lebanese army or ISF and I approach the scene and get stopped by these thugs claiming resistance.... what would I do? The army enforces the law on the common citizen and is afraid of these thugs.....

Default-user-icon LEB (Guest) 16 July 2012, 23:29

Thank you Naharnet

Default-user-icon Sammie (Guest) 16 August 2012, 15:03

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