Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Sunni rebels have acquired weapons from the Lebanese Army.

The Lebanese daily Al Akhbar reported that the military was
investigating thefts of weapons and other equipment throughout northern
Lebanon.

On April 10, the newspaper asserted that the weapons were being
smuggled to Sunni rebels in neighboring Syria.

“Those in the military establishment were privy to what has been taking place,” Al Akhbar said.

The newspaper, regarded as authoritative, said the weapons were stolen from Lebanese Army arsenals and sold to gun runners. The gun runners then sold the weapons to the Sunni rebel movement for the war against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

“The weapons were sold to arms dealers, who took them to Beirut and the north, and from there to Syria,” the newspaper said.

Lebanese sources confirmed the Al Akhbar report. They said an
investigation was launched by military police and intelligence and that several people were arrested.

Al Akhbar said the investigation found that at least 90 assault rifles
and other weapons were stolen from one army warehouse. The newspaper said
the weapons as well as a large amount of ammunition were believed to have
been have transported to smugglers in the Bekaa Valley.

“Based on the investigation, army intelligence detained more than a
dozen people in the Bekaa,” Al Akhbar said.

The Assad regime has been pressuring the government of Lebanese Prime
Minister Najib Miqati to stop rebel activities. Earlier this year, the Syrian Army
conducted operations in the Bekaa Valley as well as the northern border in
search for Sunni rebels.

Al Akbar did not identify the weapons stolen. Over the last five years,
the Lebanese military has received more than $750 million worth of
U.S. equipment.

  Bashar Assad, Bekaa Valley, Lebanese gun runners, Najib Miqati, Report: Weapons stolen from Lebanese Army smuggled to Syrian rebels, Sunni rebels