Lebanon claims Daesh cell busted, attacks foiled

Beirut: Lebanon’s army said on Friday that it had arrested terrorists who had been planning attacks in the country after foreign embassies warned their citizens to avoid public places.

Army intelligence “carried out several raids arresting 19 people linked to a cell” belonging to Daesh, the army said in a statement.

Security forces were taking extra precautions, the statement added.

The army identified the leader of the terror cell, which had “planned and prepared to carry out terrorist action,” as Fadi Ebrahim Ahmad, an Egyptian based in the Ain Al Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Interior Ministry said earlier that it was looking into warnings issued by foreign embassies over potential attacks in the country, but added there was no need to panic.

“These warnings are based on information from a foreign intelligence agency,” the ministry said. “Lebanese security services are following up to check its authenticity and accuracy ... There is no cause for fear or exaggeration.”

The French embassy in Beirut urged French citizens in Lebanon on Friday to be vigilant over the next 48 hours, citing an “elevated risk of attack targeting public places”.

The US embassy said earlier in the week that it had barred staff from visiting the Casino du Liban in Jounieh, north of Beirut. Canada also warned its citizens on Thursday to avoid that area.