UN condemns jihadist groups in Lebanon

The Security Council of the United Nations yesterday condemned the attacks directed this weekend (2 and 3 August) by jihadist groups in Lebanon and expressed support for the Army in its fight against extremists.

Arsal armed clashes,  in the northeast of the country, left at least 14 dead, 86 wounded and 22 missing between the Lebanese armed forces, as well as several civilian casualties. In a written statement, members of the highest decision-making body of the United Nations stressed the necessity of working to improve the Lebanese military capabilities, which this weekend arrested a responsible from Nusra Front (Syrian branch of Al Qaeda), identified as Amer Ahmad Yomaa.

The region of Arsal, predominantly Sunni, borders with Syria and since the conflict started in that country in 2011, it has become into a target for jihadists andfor the Syrian army, which bombs it by land and air. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki put aside their differences and decided to provide military support to deal with the jihadists and other Sunni insurgent groups that have spread in the north.