Lebanon's interior minister praises swift arrest of suspect in Briton's murder

BEIRUT, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk on Monday praised the Internal Security Forces (ISF) for its quick response to the case of a murdered British diplomat.

"Arresting the killer of the British embassy employee quickly is a security accomplishment that proves once again the professionalism of the ISF. These exceptional efforts reassure Lebanese and foreigners that security is tight in Lebanon," the minister said via Twitter.

The murdered British woman Rebecca Dykes worked for the British embassy in Beirut. Her body was found on Saturday beside a motorway east of the city with a rope around her neck.

The man suspected of killing Dykes was arrested on Monday. He was a registered Uber driver with an existing criminal record, according to a statement by the ISF.

The victim was raped before being killed, the statement said.

On Monday, Lebanon's Director General of ISF Maj. General Imad Othman paid condolences to British Ambassador to Lebanon Hugo Shorter over the death of the British embassy worker. Enditem