Bahrain’s leading carrier Gulf Air has said that it will continue with the temporary suspension of flight services to Lebanon, Iran and Iraq due to the ongoing turbulent security situation in the Middle East region.

Earlier, the airline halted its daily services to Beirut until May 31, but has now extended the flights suspension up to June 10, 2011.

The airline in a statement also said that the flight services to Basra, Erbil, Baghdad, Najaf, Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Mashad would continue to remain suspended until June 30, 2011.

“Passengers, holding confirmed tickets for travel during these dates, can rebook for a later Gulf Air flight in the same booking class to the same destination for travel up to and including 30 September 2011 at no additional charge. Gulf Air will endeavor, where possible, to transfer the booking/ticket to an alternative available airline for the same/next day travel to the same destination in the same class of travel. Passengers can also get a full refund if they wish,” a top Gulf Air official said.