Fugitives flee as Lebanon implements security plan in Bekaa

Lebanon's Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouk said Friday that several dangerous fugitives in the eastern Bekaa Valley have fled to Syria as security forces implemented a security plan in the area.

"We realize that dangerous offenders fled to Syria, but the security plan is to prevent them from returning," he said in a press conference held at Ablah barracks in the Bekaa Valley.

The minister said joint security forces, including the army, the Internal Security Forces, the General Security and the State Security Directorates, were established to pursuit all the fugitives.

Many of the suspects are accused of involvement in theft and kidnappings.

Later on Friday, the army said in a communique that the joint security forces in Bekaa detained 56 outlaws and seized 18 illegal vehicles.

Meanwhile, a communique by the Guidance Directorate said "several raids were carried out in Baalbek, Brital, Hawr Taala, Douris, Hammoudiyeh and other villages. Two tons of hashish were seized from a depot in Hammoudiyeh, in addition to military equipment and communication devices."

The security plan was launched last year in northern Lebanon to crack down crime, clashes and attacks on the army. Endit