Report: Hizbullah's Intense Security Measures in Dahieh Coordinated with Official Agencies

Hizbullah has undertaken strict security measures at its stronghold of Dahieh in Beriut's southern suburbs, setting up checkpoints at various locations in order to search vehicles and passersby in the area, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Tuesday.

Widely informed sources from Hizbullah told the daily: “The measures are taking place in coordination with the security agencies and they are therefore not infringing on their privileges.”

“The measures do not reflect the mentality of the state within a state,” they said.

The developments in Dahieh are a reaction to recent information that several booby-trapped cars have been discovered in Lebanon.

“It is clear that the assailants have greater intentions and the official security agencies cannot control the entire situation in Dahieh so therefore local neighborhood committees are taking it upon themselves to help the agencies,” explained the sources.

“The security measures are a popular demand and all the Lebanese people must now understand this issue. The steps are popular support being provided to the security forces during this critical time,” they added.

They denied that the security measures are creating tensions among the people, saying: “On the contrary, they fall within their demands. Failure to take such steps to support the security agencies will not be wise.”

Since Thursday's Ruwais bombing and the discovery of several booby-trapped cars, Hizbullah has taken strict measures in Dahieh with some of its members dressed in civilian clothing monitoring the streets and others setting up checkpoints to inspect vehicles and identification cards of passengers.

These measures were also taken at a number of southern cities.

Thirty people were killed and 336 wounded in a car bombing in the Ruwais area in Dahieh on Thursday.

A number of booby-trapped cars have been found since then, including one in the Naameh area in southern Lebanon.

Eight people, of Lebanese and Palestinian nationalities, were found involved in the scheme to detonate the car in another area.

Security agencies seized on Saturday afternoon an Audi car filled with 250 kilograms of explosives near the municipality building in Naameh.

The Naameh plot was to be the first of a series of attacks, well-informed sources told As Safir newspaper on Monday.