Lebanon vows to fight terror after soldiers killed

The Lebanese army has vowed to battle ‘terrorism’ after a car bomb blast killed three soldiers in eastern Lebanon near the border with Syria.

“The army knows that it is now more than ever targeted by terrorists who want to prevent the establishment of the authority of the state and its attempts to eliminate discord,” the military said in a statement released late on Saturday.

The army command would continue “to fight and pursue terrorists, and is determined to implement the security plan… whatever the sacrifices,” the statement added, referring to a new security plan which came into effect on Sunday aimed at suppressing spillover violence from the crisis in Syria.

Lebanon has been suffering from terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda-linked militants as well as random rocket attacks related to the Syria conflict. Foreign-backed militants in Syria have also on many occasions attacked Lebanese border areas where the majority of the residents support the Syrian government.

Late on Saturday, the three soldiers lost their lives when an explosive-laden vehicle detonated near an army checkpoint in the eastern town of Arsal in Baalbek.
Arsal, located some 124 kilometers northeast of Beirut, is known for its support for the foreign-backed militants in Syria.
According to Lebanese media reports, Syria militants have been fleeing into Arsal following the Syrian army’s recent victory in the strategic region of Qalamoun.
A group calling itself Liwa Ahrar al-Sunna claimed responsibility for Saturday’s bomb attack on Twitter and promised more assaults.
The group said that the deadly attack was launched to avenge the death of Sami al-Atrash, who was killed by the Lebanese army on March 27 in Arsal.
The fugitive terrorist was accused of carrying out attacks against Lebanese people and soldiers.