Prestwick flights 'may continue'

Flights carrying "hazardous" material have refuelled at Prestwick

A Scottish airport looks set to continue to be used as a refuelling stop for US flights which are believed to be carrying bombs to Israel.

A protest was staged Prestwick Airport on Sunday, where several controversial flights are known to have landed.

The Irish Government has refused to allow its airports to be used as a stopover for munitions.

However, Scotland Office Minister David Cairns said "international conventions" would see the flights continue.

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We are bound by international conventions on these matters and provided that the correct procedure is followed - which it wasn't initially - then we will allow these things to continue."

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Mr Cairns played down Prestwick's role in the possible transportation of weapons to the Middle East.

He said: "This isn't about the particular supply line route to a conflict. Those weapons will get into the conflict irrespective of the supply line.

"What actually matters here is that we take the right steps to stop the conflict, can we get the right package of measures together to bring about a ceasefire?"

He added: "Of course I understand why people are concerned about this... but I cannot say that our airports will never be used for this sort of activity ever again.

"What really matters though is to make that whole question totally redundant by getting a resolution to the issue."

About 150 people took part in the demonstration

On Sunday, demonstrators staged a protest at the airport against the refuelling of US flights to Israel.

About 150 people voiced their anger at the landing of planes which they believe are carrying bombs for use in the conflict in Lebanon.

Two flights carrying "hazardous" material were diverted from Prestwick to the RAF Mildenhall military base in Suffolk on Saturday evening.

There has been no official confirmation of the cargo being carried.

Demonstrators unfurled banners, Lebanese flags and placards before chanting peace slogans and making a series of speeches.

A spokesman for Prestwick said the airport had provided support for military flights - including refuelling aircraft and providing food and water - since World War I.

It was obliged to allow any Civil Aviation Authority-registered country to land its planes there but was not "entitled or obliged" to find out what cargo was being carried on flights in transit.