Security Update – 22 May 2009

Lebanon filed a complaint to the United Nations on 21 May, with regard to an alleged Israeli spy network in the country. Lebanon has charged 18 people with espionage in a crackdown since January.  Lebanese security forces accuse those arrested of gathering intelligence for Israel on Hezbollah positions, infrastructure targets and the movements of the organisation’s leaders.

Current Situation

The Lebanese Prime Minister’s office stated that Israel has violated Lebanon’s sovereignty and Security Council resolution 1701. Resolution 1701 helped end the 34-day war in the summer of 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah, and placed southern Lebanon under the mandate of a UN-backed peacekeeping force. Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shia movement, surprised many observers with their military strength during the war. The armed militant group, whose political party has veto power in the current government, has refused international calls to disarm and has the support of the Lebanese government and the military with regards to the conflict with Israel.

Lebanese security officials claim to have found listening devices hidden in cars and cans of motor oil, a landscape survey sensor concealed in the cap of a water cooler, electronic devices hidden in furniture and a car battery jump charger able to transmit data. Lebanon claims that Israel has increasingly focused on human intelligence since Hezbollah successfully concealed its rocket and missile capabilities from aerial reconnaissance in the lead up to the 2006 war.

A retired general in the General Security directorate was charged with spying for Israel in April, along with his wife and nephew. Other suspects include two members of the Lebanese security forces and a deputy mayor of a town in the east of the country. The Lebanese government has requested that UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon repatriate two suspected spies who fled across the border to Israel in recent days. If found guilty, those charged with espionage may face the death penalty. The uncovering of the alleged espionage network comes at an opportune time for Hezbollah, as it is likely to increase support for their anti-Israeli rhetoric ahead of parliamentary elections on 7 June.

International Operations Group – Lebanon Travel Security

Political tensions and security in Lebanon will be heightened in the run up to the parliamentary elections on 7 June. Although the security situation is currently calm, it has the potential to deteriorate rapidly. Personnel should exercise caution when travelling to Tripoli (in particular the Abi Samra district) and parts of the Beka’a Valley (especially Baalbek) while non-essential travel south of the Litani River should be avoided (including the southern governorates of El Jnoub and Nabatiye). Personnel should also avoid visiting the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, due to many being controlled by armed factions which have clashed violently with security forces. The terrorist threat remains high in the country with a significant risk that foreign interests, security forces and political figures may be targeted.

International Operations Group – Services

International Operations Group provides intelligence and security support for corporate and individual clients across the globe. Our team can assist in managing critical incidents by way of security management services, executive protection, surveillance and counter-surveillance. Please email intel@interopsgroup.com for further information.

For more information on our fee-based intelligence updates or bespoke reporting, please email Rob Stevenson - rob@interopsgroup.com. Rob can also be telephoned on +61 [0] 420 244 909.