Army Arrests Suspects for Aiding Fighters in Bekaa Valley

The Lebanese army has arrested several gunmen in the eastern Bekaa Valley for transporting aid to fighters based on the outskirts of the town of Arsal, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The military said the four suspects, who were in a pick-up truck, were seized in Arsal late Thursday. They are Syrian nationals who entered the country illegally.

NNA said, however, that they were transporting food and other urgent needs for the gunmen taking position on the outskirts of the eastern mountain range in Arsal.

The suspects were referred to the military police for questioning, the agency said.

Upon their arrest, the army consolidated its presence at checkpoints in the Bekaa's North, it added.

The army also said in its communique that it arrested an armed Syrian driving an unregistered Nissan Bluebird in the area of Damour in Shouf district.

The suspect was carrying a gun, a hunting rifle, a radio transceiver and ammunition, it said.

He was referred to the judiciary, the communique added.