Bekaa Security Plan Kicks Off amid Reports of 'Escape of Fugitives from Brital'

The Lebanese military carried out raids in several eastern towns in search for wanted individuals at the start of a security plan that armed forces launched on Thursday, amid reports that most fugitives had fled the town of Brital.

The state-run National News Agency said the plan which was approved by the government last month, was launched in the eastern Bekaa Valley through raids in the towns of Brital and Hourtaala.

Army units were backed from the air by three helicopters that flew over Brital and its outskirts and the illegal border crossings, NNA said.

"The two fugitives A. R. M. and H. M. T. were arrested and raids are still underway and will extend to areas other than Brital and Hourtaala," the agency announced.

Meanwhile, MTV said that "the fugitives of Brital, who are estimated to number between 100 and 150, have left the town."

"Brital's residents are dismayed by the 'violent' raids that were carried out by the army but they have welcomed its presence in their town, and they are saying that all fugitives have fled the town," MTV added.

It said the residents "are rejecting the accusation that they were behind facilitating the escape of the fugitives and they're saying they did not have good relations with them despite the kinship."

NNA said later in the day that the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau arrested in Brital the Syrians Ismail Ali al-Hussein and Imad Youssef Sweid for their involvement in the brief abduction of the child Michel al-Saqr.

For its part, Al-Arabiya TV said the army will stage raids Friday in Baalbek's al-Sharawneh neighborhood.

Earlier on Thursday, Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) said that among the suspects the army is seeking to arrest is Maher Tleis, who has received a life sentence for his alleged involvement in kidnappings.

Reports have said that he has also been accused of preparing booby-trapped cars in Syria, which are later transported to Lebanon for terrorist acts.

The start of the security plan comes days after armed forces took full control of all checkpoints on the road linking the towns of Arsal and Hermel near the Syrian border.

Hizbullah members used to search cars amid a wave of car bombs that killed scores of people.

A similar security plan has gone into effect in the northern city of Tripoli where scores of suspects have been arrested for their involvement in several rounds of fighting.

President Michel Suleiman said Thursday “it was important and urgent to assist the army (by providing it) with equipment and modern weapons given its huge tasks."

The military is preserving security and stability and battling terrorism, in addition, to its role on the border in defense of the nation, Suleiman added in a statement issued by Baabda Palace.

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H.K.