Lebanese Army captures accomplice of convict at center of manhunt

BEIRUT — An alleged drug smuggler accomplice of wanted convict “Abou Salle,” who has been at the center of a weeklong manhunt by the Lebanese Army, was arrested on Thursday in Maaraboun, Baalbeck, the army announced in a statement.

Here’s what we know:

    • The man allegedly attempted to illegally cross into Syria after he had opened fire at Lebanese soldiers on June 3 during clashes between the army and convicts in Charawne, Baalbeck, during which one army member was killed and others were injured.

    • The army has been searching since June 3 for Ali Zeaiter, a.k.a “Abou Salle,” and others involved in the clashes. The weekend after the clashes a man suspected of offering medical assistance to Abou Salle, thought to have been wounded during the clashes, was arrested. Other operations were carried out in Riha, Kneisse and Karak.

    • Lebanon’s security has deteriorated in the past three years as the country grapples with a severe economic crisis. The Bekaa, which hosts a massive presence of arms as the state struggles to impose its authority, is often the scene of bloody clashes between rival clans, sometimes involving Lebanese Army soldiers. Two soldiers were wounded Sunday during raids in the area.