Report: Sleeper Cells to Stage Attacks on Vital Areas

Despite the strict security measures carried out by the Lebanese security agencies, dormant terrorist cells will reportedly stage a terror attack at a vital area in the country.

Ad Diyar newspaper reported on Thursday that the sleeper cells are mostly residing in Syrian encampments across the country and Palestinian refugee camps, in particular, the southern Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp.

Sources told the newspaper that any terror act carried out by those cells will hit suddenly an unexpected area or security posts.

The sources pointed out that gunmen are still infiltrating into the country through the illegal crossings along the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Security measures were boosted across Lebanon during the holidays to prevent any security breaches.

Ever since the Syrian revolt erupted in March 2011, the northeastern Lebanese towns along the border, which is long and porous, have served as a key conduit for refugees, rebels and wounded people fleeing strife-torn Syria.

Arsal was overran in August by gunmen belonging to the two al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), who withdrew from the town by taking several soldiers and policemen hostage. Four have been so far executed.

The army informed the residents of Arsal on Sunday that “Syrian and Lebanese nationals will not be able to pass into the outskirts of Arsal through Wadi Hmeid check point without a prior approval from the army intelligence starting January 1.”