CAR BOMB BLAST KILLS THREE SOLDIERS IN EAST LEBANON

Beirut,  29 Jumadil Awwal 1435/30 March 2014 (MINA) – Three Lebanese soldiers have been killed and three others wounded in a car bomb explosion in eastern Lebanon, near the border with Syria.

The incident occurred when an explosive-laden vehicle was 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 foreign-backed militants fighting against the Syrian government, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Sunday.

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.

On March 19, the Lebanese army was deployed in Arsal to calm down tensions between its residents and those of neighboring Labweh, who blame the rival town of carrying out rocket attacks against them.

Lebanon has been suffering from terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda-linked militants as well as random rocket attacks, which are viewed as a spillover of the prolonged conflict in Syria.

Meanwhile, foreign-backed militants in Syria have on many occasions attacked Lebanese border areas where the majority of the residents support the Syrian government.

Late on Thursday, the Lebanese army said it killed a man suspected of involvement in the murder of soldiers, preparing car bombs and firing mortar shells at Lebanese villages.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Some sources say around 140,000 people have been killed and millions displaced as a result of the foreign-backed militancy. (T/E01/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).