LAF statement: efforts ongoing to secure ports against contraband smuggling

LAF Intelligence Directorate arrested in Bekaa on Thursday citizens Ali Merhej Jaafar, Haytham Khoder El Hajj and Abbas Ghazi Jaafar. The three were arrested for involvement with other persons in the kidnapping of Syrian national Youssef Khaled Turkmani in Zahle.

Turkmani was held for a couple of days but managed to escape from his abductors on the 26th of October. The arrestees confessed that kidnapped Turkmani for ransom. LAF members ceased a number of light military weapons in the possession of Haytham El Hajj.

The investigations revealed that Ali Jaafar was involved in previous kidnapping operations and that Abbas Jaafar is an ex-convict.

The LAF are still working on finding and arresting the rest of the band members. In Beirut's Southern Suburbs, the Intelligence unit arrested Hussein Ali Zaiter accused of attacking citizens and implementing monetary schemes.

Separately, the Army Command stated that the Intelligence Directorate's work inside the ports is limited to the protection of these ports and the control of contraband smuggling, stressing that it doesn't interfere in the ports' administrative work.

The Command added that the ports' sidewalks are the responsibility of the administrations, as the examination of goods and the completion of official transactions are the Customs Directorate General's responsibility.

The Command also urged anyone who has information about suspicious activities taking place on the Lebanese ports, to report it to the LAF.