Lebanese soldiers (archives)
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Lebanon: 3 more arrested in Israel spy ring affair
Al-Akhbar newspaper reports three people suspected of working for Israeli intelligence services detained in south Lebanon; high-tech equipment found in suspect's home, report says; wave of arrests expected to continue as elections draw near
Wave of "Israeli spy ring" arrests continues: Lebanese security services have arrested three more people on suspicion of working for the Israeli intelligence services, a local newspaper known for its affiliation with Hizbullah reported on Tuesday.
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According to Al Akhbar's report, two of the suspects are brothers; they were apprehended in the village of Sultana in south Lebanon, while the third suspect was caught in the nearby village of Dir Antar.
The newspaper said the arrests were carried out after security services obtained intelligence information indicating that one of the brothers and the third suspect worked for Israeli intelligence services, while the second brother was detained for deposition.
It was further reported that security forces stormed the home of one of the brothers, where they found highly advanced technological equipment similar to the equipment discovered in the homes of additional suspects in the alleged spy ring affair.
Lebanese authorities claim that no less than eight Israeli "spy rings" have been uncovered in the past 24 days. On Sunday 40 people were arrested in the Nabatiya area, also in south Lebanon, on suspicion of spying for Israel. Local security services estimate that the detainees had operated under Mustafa Ali Awada, the main suspect in the case.
The wave of arrests will apparently continue in the coming weeks.
The sudden reports on the alleged spy rings may be related to the upcoming elections in Lebanon. Hizbullah is making every effort to significantly increase its power in parliament at the expense of its rival camp, headed by Saad al-Hariri and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
Over the past few weeks the Shiite group has been working to expose the alleged Israeli spy rings as part of its effort to show that Israel is still looking to exert its influence on Lebanon's internal security matters and therefore poses a threat to the country.
The Lebanese elections are scheduled for June.
