Mounted Lebanese riot police arrest a mock suspect during training exercises in anti-terrorism and riot maneuvers near Beirut.(AP)
Lebanese intelligence forces have reportedly arrested another citizen suspected of spying on behalf of Israel, following months of a crackdown on an alleged espionage ring.
It was not yet clear if suspect, who the Al-Mustakabel newspaper said was arrested in the southern town of Tibnin, had any connection to the six cells allegedly formed within Lebanon's Internal Security Forces.
Details of the recent suspect's arrest were not given, except the allegation that he had been in contact with Israel's defense establishment.
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.
The soldier's wife, sister, and brother-in-law were also given death sentences. The latter two reside in Israel, according to Lebanese reports.
The suspects were convicted of conspiring with Israel, establishing contacts with its agents and espionage with the intent of arranging an attack on Lebanon.
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.
According to Hezbollah-controlled Al-Manar television, the suspect's job was to collect information on potential targets such as the group's installations and the homes of its leaders.
Lebanese sources attributed the 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.
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://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1129326.html
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