Lebanon boosts security to counter ISIL threats

Authorities have stepped up security measures across Lebanon after terrorists from the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) threatened to destabilize the country.

Lebanese security sources say they have adopted new security arrangements to shield the internal situation against the Takfiri terrorism.

This comes after Security forces in Beirut discovered plots to target the Shia community’s political, security and popular figures. A French terror suspect in custody has revealed an ISIL plan to bomb more than one target with the aim of igniting a Sunni-Shia conflict in Lebanon.

The ISIL terrorists have recently devised plots to assassinate Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim, and to blow up hospitals in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Lebanon has also been suffering terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda-linked militant groups, as well as random rocket attacks, which are viewed as a spillover of violence from neighboring Syria.

Lebanese army officers have been cooperating with resistance movement Hezbollah in their fight against various militant groups.

Hezbollah says it will confront the sponsors of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant inside Lebanon.

Mohammad Ra’ad, the head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc has said ISIL sponsors are using the terrorist group to advance their own agenda in the region.

He noted that the group, which is backed and financed by some regional countries, serves the best interests of Israel and the United States.

The Hezbollah lawmaker called for greater cooperation among Lebanese security services to thwart the threats coming from the terrorists.

He warned that regional supporters of ISIL will regret funding the group.

The latest developments come as most people in the Middle East have expressed concern over the spread of ongoing deadly violence in Syria and Iraq to its neighboring countries.

According to reports, western powers and their regional allies – especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and some other Persian Gulf Arab states – are supporting the militants.