Illegal immigration network arrested in South Lebanon

The Lebanese Armed Forces Intelligence Bureau arrested on Tuesday a network involved in illegal immigration in South Lebanon.

The network is reportedly formed of 13 persons of Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian nationalities and is accused of illegally smuggling individuals into European countries.

In this context, the Lebanese Army Command - Orientation Directorate issued the following statement:

"Based on information made available, a patrol of the naval forces in the LAF stopped at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, a boat with 2 Lebanese citizens, 2 Syrians and 3 Palestinians on board attempting to illegally immigrate two miles off the coast of Zahrani."

Investigations were carried out under the supervision of the concerned judicial authority, the National News Agency confirmed.

On Friday September 26, dozens of Lebanese nationals hailing from the towns of Akkar were reported dead after a boat carrying them to Australia sank off the coast of Indonesia.

Preliminary information showed that an Iraqi national known as Abou Salah was in charge of transferring the persons to Indonesia before reaching Australia.