Lebanon detains 7 Syrian, 2 Lebanese terror suspects

Arrests come days after twin suicide attacks in Beirut suburb killed 43 people and wounded more than 200

By AP 15 November 2015, 4:41 pm

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People gather near the site of a twin suicide attack in Burj al-Barajneh, southern Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015 that struck a Shiite suburb killed and wounded dozens, according to a Lebanese official. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lebanon has detained seven Syrians and two Lebanese suspected of involvement in planning terrorist attacks, including a twin bombing last week, and smuggling extremists into the country.

Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk announced the arrests Sunday, three days after a twin suicide attack in a southern Beirut suburb killed 43 people and wounded more than 200.

Machnouk says the attackers were planning to strike the Rasoul al-Aazm hospital, which is run by Hezbollah, but changed their minds because of tight security.

He says they instead targeted a busy street near the hospital during rush hour on Thursday evening. Machnouk says the attack was to involve five suicide bombers, but one was detained and two did not enter Lebanon.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group.