Israeli Agents Arrested at Beirut Airport

Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi (R) and acting General Security chief Elias al-Baysari. (Mawlawi on the X platform)
Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi (R) and acting General Security chief Elias al-Baysari. (Mawlawi on the X platform)
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Israeli Agents Arrested at Beirut Airport

Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi (R) and acting General Security chief Elias al-Baysari. (Mawlawi on the X platform)
Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi (R) and acting General Security chief Elias al-Baysari. (Mawlawi on the X platform)

Lebanon’s acting General Security chief Elias al-Baysari revealed the arrest of two agents working for Israel.

They were detained at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport.

They were tasked by Israel with carrying out operations in Lebanon, Baysari added.

Security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the individuals were Russian and that they had received instructions to monitor “sensitive” Hezbollah positions and “attempt to infiltrate them.”

They described the arrest as an “accomplishment by the General Security directorate”.

The concerned judiciary will now carry out the investigations with the Russians.

Baysari had previously declared that there can be “no undermining of security” in Lebanon under any circumstances.

“Maintaining security is a red line and priority for us,” he added during a speech on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the formation of the General Security.

The directorate will “not abandon any effort to safeguard security and combat terrorism and networks affiliated with the Israeli enemy. This is a priority for us,” he declared.



UK PM Tells Netanyahu Peace Process ‘Should Lead’ to Palestinian State

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
TT

UK PM Tells Netanyahu Peace Process ‘Should Lead’ to Palestinian State

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)

UK premier Keir Starmer told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that any peace process in the Middle East should pave the way for a Palestinian state, Downing Street said.

The two leaders held a call that focused on the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a UK government spokesperson said.

During the conversation, "both agreed that we must work towards a permanent and peaceful solution that guarantees Israel's security and stability", the British readout of the call added.

"The prime minister added that the UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a political process, which should also lead to a viable and sovereign Palestinian state."

Starmer also "reiterated that it was vital to ensure humanitarian aid can now flow uninterrupted into Gaza, to support the Palestinians who desperately need it", the statement added.

Starmer "offered his personal thanks for the work done by the Israeli government to secure the release of the hostages, including British hostage Emily Damari", the statement added.

"To see the pictures of Emily finally back in her family's arms was a wonderful moment but a reminder of the human cost of the conflict," Starmer added, according to the statement.

A truce agreement between Israel and Hamas to end 15 months of war in Gaza came into effect on Sunday.

The first part of the three-phase deal should last six weeks and see 33 hostages returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.