Security Forces Detain 56 Outlaws on Day 2 of Security Plan

The joint security force continued on Friday to implement a security plan established for the Bekaa Valley, detaining dozens of fugitives, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Several areas were raided in search for outlaws, who are wanted on security and judicial warrants.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim and Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous carried out a tour in the area to inspect the implementation of the plan.

The joint force is comprised of the Internal Security Forces' special panthers unit and the Lebanese army.

Mashnouq stressed during a press conference from the Ablah barracks that the security plan confirms the presence of the state in the Bekaa and aims at preventing outlaws from returning from Syria.

“There was an impression that the Bekaa was not under the state's authority but the security plan proves otherwise,” Mashnouq told reporters.

The minister said that “the people of the Bekaa support the state and welcomed the deployment of the joint security forces.”

He pointed out that the security plan will continue in an attempt to announce the Bekaa free of outlaws, drugs and criminal activity.

The army said later on Friday in a communique that the joint security forces in the Bekaa detained 56 outlaws, seized 18 illegal vehicles and confiscated two tons of hashish.

“Several raids were carried out in Baalbek, Brital, Hawr Taala, Douris, Hammoudiyeh and other villages,” the statement pointed out.

Two tons of hashish were seized from a depot in Hammoudiyeh, in addition to military equipment and communication devices.

The detainees and confiscated items were handed over to the competent authorities.

On Thursday, ten fugitives were detained and 18 stolen vehicles seized.

Media reports had said that the suspects had fled the Bekaa ahead of the implementation of the plan, which has been announced by al-Mashnouq 15 days prior its execution.

“We realize that dangerous offenders fled to Syria, but the security plan is to prevent them from returning,” Mashnouq noted during his press conference on Friday.

The minister revealed that an operation chamber was established for the Bekaa to pursuit all the fugitives.

Fixed and random checkpoints were erected on Thursday.

The army announced in a communique that the plan aims at “consolidating security and stability in the Bekaa region, combating organized crime and pursuing suspects and fugitives.”

Speaker Nabih Berri has recently warned offenders in the Bekaa Valley that they will eventually have no choice but to hand themselves over to security forces, flee the country or face death ahead of the implementation of the security plan.

The plan seeks to clamp down on criminals in the Bekaa where certain areas, such as the town of Brital, are known to be a safe haven for car-theft gangs and drug dealers, as well as networks that kidnap people in return for ransom.

The army had launched a crackdown on suspects and fugitives in the northern city of Tripoli and several other areas in an attempt to halt security chaos across the country.

H.K.

G.K.