Lebanon's army said it opened fire on an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle on Saturday afternoon, forcing the drone to leave Lebanese airspace amid rising tensions between the neighbors.
According to the report, the drone had been flying above the southern Lebanese village of Bint Jbail, where Israel Defense Forces troops engaged Hezbollah guerillas in a fierce battle during the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
After troops directed anti-aircraft fire at the unmanned aerial vehicle, the Lebanese army said, the drone rose to a higher altitude and then left Lebanese airspace.
The army's announcement came shortly after London based newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported that Lebanon's military chief said he would heighten border security in fear of an Israeli attack.
General Jean Qahwaji warned Lebanese soldiers to "be more aware when traveling along the border," in case of an Israeli attack on Lebanese territory.
The order was given, Qahwaji said, in order to "continue to compete with Israeli violations in the air, land and sea."
"[Lebanon] must continue to work with UNIFIL forces in order to guard UN resolution 1701," the general said.
Resolution 1701 effectively ended a 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 by setting out guidelines for both sides, and the UN force, to observe.
"Lebanon will continue to work to free the land that is still under Israeli occupation including the Shaba Farms and part of the village of Rajar," Qahwaji said.
Report: Lebanon arrests another suspected Israel spy
A Lebanese military court last week sentenced to death a first sergeant in the country's Internal Security Forces charged with spying on behalf of Israel and reportedly arrested another citizen suspected of the same charge.
Last spring, Lebanon arrested close to 20 alleged members of six espionage cells suspected of transmitting intelligence information to Israel. The two-month crackdown was apparently aided by American training and equipment.
Lebanese sources attributed last weeks arrests to improved cooperation between Lebanon's many security agencies, saying that with the help of better-trained personnel and access to more sophisticated equipment, the Internal Security Forces have been intensifying their efforts to uncover espionage networks as part of an attempt to develop a pan-Lebanese image.
The Internal Security Forces have long been accused of representing the interests of Lebanese parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri, son of slain prime minister Rafik Hariri, and his supporters.
Last spring, Lebanon arrested close to 20 alleged members of six espionage cells suspected of transmitting intelligence information to Israel. The two-month crackdown was apparently aided by American training and equipment.
The United States has provided $1 billion in aid since 2006, including $410 million in security assistance to the Lebanese military and police. But U.S. officials have said they would review aid to Lebanon depending on the results of the June 7 election, which could oust the U.S.-backed government.
Israel has expressed reservations about American aid to the Lebanese army and security services, saying those organizations will ultimately be unable to contend with Hezbollah and that any aid is liable to serve Hezbollah's interest.
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1129628.html
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