Army Foils Armed Group Bid to Infiltrate Lebanon from Syria via al-Qaa

The Lebanese Army on Thursday clashed with gunmen who were trying to infiltrate Lebanon from Syria through the Masharii al-Qaa border area.

"At 5:30 p.m., the Lebanese Army thwarted at attempt by an armed group to infiltrate Lebanon from Syrian territory," Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

The gunmen were attempting to enter the country through the al-Naamat barren mountains and the illegal border crossings in Masharii al-Qaa, NNA said.

The army opened fire at the gunmen and prevented them from crossing the border, the agency added.

Meanwhile, Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) described the group as "extremist," without elaborating on whether it has links to a certain organization.

The clashes did not cause any casualties, according to the radio network.

For its part, al-Mayadeen television said "the army has deployed in some points in Masharii al-Qaa after detecting movements by armed groups in the Eastern Mountain Range."