Lebanon issues arrest warrant against colonel for spying

A Lebanese military investigative judge issued an arrest warrant against an Army Colonel on charges of spying for Israeli Intelligence, reported the country's state- run National News Agency (NNA) on Thursday.

Colonel Antoine Abou Jaoude was charged of meeting with Israeli officers abroad from 2006 until his arrest in 2009. He allegedly provided confidential security information about the Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army, said Judge Sakr Sakr, government commissioner at the Lebanese Military Court.

The decision came one day after the Lebanese military sentenced two citizens to death for collaborating with Israel.

Meanwhile, Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper reported that Lebanese authorities are questioning two high-ranking non-civilian employees on suspicion of spying for Israel.

Since 2009, Lebanese authorities have arrested more than 150 spies working for Israel, including high ranking military officials. Five people have been given death penalties, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Source: Xinhua