Report: Security Forces Release 7 Armed Syrians Detained in Bekaa

The Lebanese security services released seven Syrians, who were allegedly accused of the possession of arms, of using them in Lebanese territories and injuring a Lebanese soldier, the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported on Thursday.

According to security sources, the armed men were not handed to the General Security Department so that they could be handed over to the Syrian authorities for crossing illegally into Lebanon.

The men were among 35 other armed Syrians, who crossed to eastern Lebanon's Bekaa region with refugees on Sunday.

The daily said that they were classified among the refugees entering into Lebanon from Syria’s Homs province although security sources said “they belong to the Free Syrian army and had fled from Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs when the Syrian forces raided the province.”

Investigations revealed that the men were hiding in room that was raided by the Lebanese army in the Bekaa, al-Hayat said, adding that the room contained weapons belonging to a Lebanese man and who is being pursued by security forces.

Media reports said on Tuesday that the army released 28 armed Syrians who crossed illegally into Lebanon after investigations revealed that they haven’t used their weapons in Lebanon or Syria.

The other 7, according to the reports, were referred to the competent judiciary.

Around 2,000 Syrians crossed into Lebanon over the weekend, fleeing the crisis in their country.

Lebanese security officials say more than 10,000 Syrians are believed to be in the country but according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, 7,058 Syrians have registered in Lebanon as refugees, where most of them live with host families.