Russian Embassy in Beirut Steps Up Security Measures amid Threats
The Russian Embassy in Lebanon beefed up its security measures after obtaining information that an extremist group is monitoring it, the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper reported on Sunday.
According to the newspaper, an extremist group led by a Jordanian of Chechen origin is plotting to carry out attacks against Russian interests in Lebanon.
The daily reported that the embassy building is being monitored from the roof top of an adjacent building.
The Russian embassy is located in Beirut's neighborhood of Mar Elias.
Russia is a supporter of Syria's embattled President Bashar Assad and consider him a main Arab ally.
Assad, a member of the heterodox Alawite sect, is fighting Sunni rebels who enjoy support from Gulf Arab kingdoms.
Earlier this month, a suspicious vehicle was found parked near the entrance of al-Helou Internal Security Forces barracks in the Beirut neighborhood of Corniche al-Mazraa.
The Russian Embassy is located near where the vehicle was found.
Lebanon has been plagued by a series of car bombings in recent months that have been linked to the conflict in Syria.
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