Extremists, including Chechens, Egyptians, Tunisians, and Syrians, are reportedly flocking to the large Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon from Syria and joining the Abdallah Azzam Brigades’ Ziad Jarrah Brigades, and the Jund al-Sham. Their entry at Arsal is said to have been facilitated by a Palestinian, Mahmoud Mohammad S. His associates are thought to be planning attacks with Jund al-Sham and Fatah al-Islam on diplomatic, military, and security targets, including the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. An al Qaeda group is said to be activating cells to carry out attacks in Beirut, the Bekaa valley, and Tripoli. Security forces in Zahle detained Nawwaf al-Hussein, a man linked to Sheikh Omar Atrash, a suspect in two recent suicide bombings in Beirut. Interior Minister Charbel said the drone seen hovering over the home of Samir Gegea in Maarab probably belongs to Israel. The army has set up 22 checkpoints between Ras Baalbek and Al-Qaa to try to prevent infiltration by militants from Syria.
