Lebanon uncovers suspected terrorist group

The Lebanese army on Thursday said authorities have arrested members of a group that was planning to carry out terrorist attacks in the country, according to Voice of Russia, dpa.

“As a result of intensive investigations, the military intelligence service apprehended on May 6 members belonging to the suspicious cell, and seized a quantity of explosive devices and detonators in their possession,” the army said.

“Other members of the group are being tracked down.”

The army did not say how many suspects had been arrested or specify their identities.

A security official told dpa that main suspects were Lebanese and Syrian nationals who had planned to assassinate leading politicians and attack military installations.

The arrested are suspected of having links with al-Nusra Front, a jihadist group fighting the Syrian government, the official said on condition of anonymity.

The United States lists the group as a terrorist organization for its alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Al-Nusra Front chief in Syria, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, last month pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri.

R.S