The security plan, which has so far led to the arrest of several fugitives in Beirut's southern suburbs since it was implemented late last month, has entered a new stage, informed security officials said.
The officials, who were not named, told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday that the joint security force, comprised of the army, the Internal Security Forces and General Security, has completed its final deployment in the area and took positions in several strategic locations.
In the second stage of the plan, the force decreased the number of personnel in the suburbs and limited its checkpoints except for those lying in sensitive areas such as the airport and the entrances of Dahieh, said the officials.
The force is now tasked with monitoring the movements of suspicious individuals and networks by exchanging intelligence information between the army, police and General Security, the sources stated.
Their operation has received strong backing from Hizbullah, which enjoys wide support in the area.
The army and security forces first deployed in Beirut's southern suburbs in September 2013 to replace Hizbullah checkpoints after a series of bombings carried out by extremists targeted the area.
Dahieh's security plan last month came after several such plans were implemented in different areas across Lebanon to clamp down on drug traffickers, kidnapping gangs and armed militias.
G.K.
H.K.
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