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Lebanese soldiers marching during a parade in downtown Beirut in 2008.
 (AP)
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Last update - 19:15 21/11/2009
Lebanon army reportedly fires at IAF drone, amid rising tensions
By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Lebanon, UNIFIL, Israel news 

Lebanon's army said it opened fire on an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle on Saturday afternoon, forcing the drone to leave Lebanese airspace amid rising tensions between the neighbors.

According to the report, the drone had been flying above the southern Lebanese village of Bint Jbail, where Israel Defense Forces troops engaged Hezbollah guerillas in a fierce battle during the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

After troops directed anti-aircraft fire at the unmanned aerial vehicle, the Lebanese army said, the drone rose to a higher altitude and then left Lebanese airspace.
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The army's announcement came shortly after London based newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported that Lebanon's military chief said he would heighten border security in fear of an Israeli attack.

General Jean Qahwaji warned Lebanese soldiers to "be more aware when traveling along the border," in case of an Israeli attack on Lebanese territory.

The order was given, Qahwaji said, in order to "continue to compete with Israeli violations in the air, land and sea."


"[Lebanon] must continue to work with UNIFIL forces in order to guard UN resolution 1701," the general said.

Resolution 1701 effectively ended a 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 by setting out guidelines for both sides, and the UN force, to observe.

"Lebanon will continue to work to free the land that is still under Israeli occupation including the Shaba Farms and part of the village of Rajar," Qahwaji said.

Report: Lebanon arrests another suspected Israel spy

A Lebanese military court last week sentenced to death a first sergeant in the country's Internal Security Forces charged with spying on behalf of Israel and reportedly arrested another citizen suspected of the same charge.

Last spring, Lebanon arrested close to 20 alleged members of six espionage cells suspected of transmitting intelligence information to Israel. The two-month crackdown was apparently aided by American training and equipment.

Lebanese sources attributed last weeks arrests to improved cooperation between Lebanon's many security agencies, saying that with the help of better-trained personnel and access to more sophisticated equipment, the Internal Security Forces have been intensifying their efforts to uncover espionage networks as part of an attempt to develop a pan-Lebanese image.

The Internal Security Forces have long been accused of representing the interests of Lebanese parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri, son of slain prime minister Rafik Hariri, and his supporters.

Last spring, Lebanon arrested close to 20 alleged members of six espionage cells suspected of transmitting intelligence information to Israel. The two-month crackdown was apparently aided by American training and equipment.

The United States has provided $1 billion in aid since 2006, including $410 million in security assistance to the Lebanese military and police. But U.S. officials have said they would review aid to Lebanon depending on the results of the June 7 election, which could oust the U.S.-backed government.

Israel has expressed reservations about American aid to the Lebanese army and security services, saying those organizations will ultimately be unable to contend with Hezbollah and that any aid is liable to serve Hezbollah's interest.
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  1.   To the Hezbollah 12:07  |  Yakov 21/11/09
  2.   Wouldn`t surprise me 12:10  |  Chris Linthwaite 21/11/09
  3.   YES...the US govennment loves Israel....... 13:17  |  jc 21/11/09
  4.   not Lebanon, only Hezbollah 14:34  |  Jochai Rubinstein 21/11/09
  5.   Ya Kov 14:49  |  ClearCut 21/11/09
  6.   yeah jc 14:52  |  ClearCut 21/11/09
  7.   Is whining a new Lebanese strategy? 15:20  |  Meo 21/11/09
  8.   #4 Jochai Rubinstein 18:37  |  BDS 21/11/09
  9.   "Peaceful Lebanon", through Hezbollah, Sworn to 18:39  |  Brad 21/11/09
  10.   Israel certainly has nothing to worry about 18:56  |  Cynic 21/11/09
  11.   Unified layout of the land search 20:08  |  Rankoo-Karoon 21/11/09
  12.   Way to go 20:12  |  Najeeb 21/11/09
  13.   # 10 20:14  |  ben 21/11/09
  14.   Lebanon has a right to defend its sovereignty. 20:45  |  Maureen Ann 21/11/09
  15.   To Chris Linthwaite #2 `Wouldn`t surprise me` 20:46  |  Colin Wright 21/11/09
  16.   #12, have you heard of hezbollah ? 21:23  |  Gary 21/11/09
  17.   60% of the Lebanese army consists of Shiites 21:24  |  Stuart 21/11/09
  18.   #12, Israel has ousourced its defense. 21:28  |  Gary 21/11/09
  19.   Hezbollah Defeat Of Israel 21:37  |  sfg 21/11/09
  20.   Israel so desperate for an excuse to go to the Litani River 21:47  |  Marc Leb 21/11/09
  21.   Translation: Hezbo is planning to attack 22:25  |  Dan 21/11/09
  22.   Hezbanese were shooting at IDF with weapons they dont have 22:26  |  1701 21/11/09
  23.   Well said, Collin and Chris 22:30  |  KYOT 21/11/09
  24.   The Italian Army is good at opera 23:58  |  Yonatan 21/11/09
  25.   Qahwaji, Don`t Worry If You`re Doing Your Job, But We All Know .. 01:11  |  Lavi 22/11/09
  26.   "It`s the water, stupid." 01:32  |  azbob 22/11/09
  27.   like all arab armies 01:47  |  sami abu ismail 22/11/09
  28.   Maureen Ann - I some news for you 03:14  |  Malach HaMavet 22/11/09
  29.   yakov 08:45  |  boo 22/11/09
  30.   The Answer is More Opportunity and Less War 14:47  |  John The Baptist 22/11/09
  31.   israel need to stop war 11:39  |  jimmy 30/11/09
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