Lebanon Claims Israeli Gunboats Violated Its Territorial Waters
The Lebanese army said on Sunday that Israeli gunboats violated Lebanese territorial waters several times on Saturday in an area opposite Ras Naqura near the border between the two countries, an accusation Israel denied.The statement said there were four violations where gunboats entered several hundred meters inside Lebanese waters and that authorities were discussing the violations with a United Nations Interim Force.An Israeli military statement said there "was no crossing…
Death toll from Lebanon migrant boat climbs to 71
At least 71 people died when the migrant boat they were aboard sank off the Syrian coast after sailing from Lebanon earlier this week, the Lebanese transport minister said, as search operations continued on Friday.It marks the deadliest such voyage yet from Lebanon, where mounting economic desperation has led many to board often rickety and overcrowded boats in the hope of reaching Europe.Syrian authorities began finding bodies off the coast of Tartus on Thursday afternoon. The Syrian transport ministry has cited survivors saying the boat left from Lebanon's northern Minyeh region on Tuesday with between 120 and 150 people onboard, bound for Europe.
Lebanon's Leaders Were Warned in July About Explosives at Port
Lebanese security officials warned the prime minister and president last month that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut’s port posed a security risk and could destroy the capital if it exploded, according to documents seen by Reuters and senior security sources.Just over two weeks later, the industrial chemicals exploded in a massive blast that obliterated most of the port, killed at least 163 people, injured 6,000 more and destroyed some 6,000 buildings, according…
Israeli Drone Crashes near Lebanon's Port of Tripoli
Lebanese Army officials say an Israeli drone crashed in the waters off Tripoli on Saturday, reports Reuters. “At around 8:30 am (0530 GMT), a drone belonging to the Israeli enemy went down in the port of Tripoli, and the army has taken the necessary measures,” the Army command said in a statement, without elaborating. A security official said the pilotless aircraft crashed into the sea. Photos showed a Jewish star and Hebrew writing on the aircraft, which was basically intact although slightly damaged when removed from the water. There was no comment from Israel. According to the report, IAF jets struck in the mountainous areas near the town of Saghbine. Increased Israeli Air Force activity over the Hermon area in south eastern Lebanon was reported beforehand.
Ship Seized Carrying Arms for Syria
Syria's ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel-Karim Ali expressed his government's gratitude to the Lebanese Army and security apparatuses for seizing the ship suspected of smuggling weapons for the Syrian rebels, the National News Agency (NNA) informed the official Chinese News Agency. Lutfallah II, a Sierra Leonean-flagged vessel was intercepted by the Lebanese Navy on April 27. Weapons were found aboard its three containers. As a result, 21 people were charged and 14 are in custody. "However, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in the words of their own foreign ministers, announced backing the (Syrian) fighters and the opposition," he added.
Weapon-smuggling Ship Held in Lebanon
The Lebanese Army recently confiscated weapons on board a ship carrying used cars in the port of Tripoli, according to a news report in Lebanon's 'The Daily Star'. While the port of origin and the ship’s final destination remain unknown, security sources said the Lebanese Army found weapons in one of the used cars aboard the vessel. The confiscated weapons included assault rifles, and the sources said the army was also working on dismantling heavy and medium weapons. The news comes one week after the Lebanese Army intercepted a ship carrying weapons allegedly bound for Syria. Damascus says Tripoli is a hotbed of support for the Syrian opposition and complains about arms being smuggled from the area into Syria.
Ship's Crew of Syria Weapons Ship to be Held
Military Prosecutor Judge Saqr Saqr has ordered that the 11-member crew of the ship “Lutfallah II,” which was carrying weapons allegedly bound for Syria, be held for questioning, reports the Lebanon 'Daily Star'. Saqr requested that the military police question the suspects and determine at which port the arms were loaded and to whom they were to be delivered. The Lebanese Army confirmed weapons on board the ship were confiscated. The statement added that the 11 detained crew members were of various Arab and foreign nationalities. President Michel Sleiman praised the Army for seizing the ship, touting the measure as part of efforts to preserve civil peace and prevent the country from becoming an arena of conflict for others.
