Lebanese arrest three people as 'Israeli spies'

LEBANON ARRESTS: Authorities detain two Lebanese and a Palestinian, reportedly for spying for Israel. (Getty Images)

Lebanese authorities arrested three people on suspicion of spying for Israel on Saturday, the latest in a series of such arrests, a security official said.

The official linked the suspects - two Lebanese and a Palestinian - to a retired general who was charged on Thursday with spying for the Jewish state - a crime that can lead to the death sentence.

"Initial information indicates that they were spying for Israel and had ties to retired general security officer Adib al-Alam," the official said.

The suspects were arrested separately at their homes in various locations in south Lebanon, the official added.

Former security services officer Brigadier General Adib al-Aalam was charged with espionage along with his wife Hayat Saloumi and nephew Joseph Semaan al-Aalam - also a security official.

The three are accused of informing Israel about Lebanese and Syrian military and civilian sites "with the aim of facilitating Israeli attacks," a judicial official said on Thursday.

A fourth suspect, Nicolas Assad Habib, remains at large, added the official, who requested anonymity.

If found guilty, they could be sentenced to death - should the court find that the spying resulted in the death of Lebanese citizens - or to life in prison.

Aalam was arrested at his office near Beirut on April 14 along with his wife. He ran a housekeeping service which he allegedly used as a front to spy for Israel.

Shiite militant group Hezbollah, which fought a devastating 34-day war with Israel in summer 2006, has said that it provided the authorities with information about Aalam and that his arrest was a major achievement.

Several other Lebanese have been detained over similar accusations in recent months.

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