Lebanon claims to arrest 2 Israeli spies trying to flee country

Lebanon said Friday it had arrested two alleged Israeli spies at Beirut International Airport as they tried to leave the country.

Major General Elias Al-Bisari, Lebanon’s chief of public security, said the pair were “carrying out certain operations inside Lebanon and tried to exit through the airport and were arrested.”

He added that “based on investigations and confessions, they were transferred to the competent military judiciary, and we will announce at a later stage the details about this cell that posed a threat to Lebanon.”

He offered no further details.

Lebanon claims to arrest Israeli spies and spy networks from time to time. The veracity of such claims cannot be established. Lebanese security services have arrested dozens over the years on suspicions of collaborating with Israel, with some receiving jail terms of up to 25 years.

Israel never comments on such allegations.