Airline bans pagers, walkie-talkies after devices explode across Lebanon

Qatar Airways has banned pagers and two-way radios from its flights out of Beirut after dozens were killed and thousands injured in Lebanon this week in device explosions targeting the Hezbollah militant movement.

In the wake of the Trojan Horse blasts, which Hezbollah has blamed in Israel, "all passengers flying from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport are prohibited from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on board flights," the airline said in a statement.

"The ban applies to both checked and carry-on luggage, as well as cargo, and will be enforced until further notice," Qatar Airways said, citing a directive from Lebanon's civil aviation authorities.

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The Lebanese government and Hezbollah have blamed Israel for attacks on Hezbollah's communications equipment that killed 37 people and wounded around 3,000, overwhelming Lebanese hospitals and wreaking bloody havoc on the militant group.

"There is no doubt that we have been subjected to a major security and military blow that is unprecedented in the history of the resistance and unprecedented in the history of Lebanon," Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a Thursday TV address.

"This type of killing, targeting and crime may be unprecedented in the world," he said.

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Qatar Airways is a major Mideast regional carrier, flying to more than 170 international destinations from its base in Doha.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Qatar Airways bans pagers, walkie talkies after Hezbollah blasts