Lebanon busts 17 suspected Israeli spy networks

Bassam Mawlawi

BEIRUT, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's security forces busted at least 17 suspected Israeli spy networks in one of the largest nationwide crackdowns in recent years, state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Monday.

Those networks operated both "locally and regionally," Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi was quoted by NNA as saying.

The minister did not go into detail about the operation or the number of people arrested during the operation conducted by the Internal Security Forces.

Mawlawi made the remarks at a cabinet meeting to address the state budget for 2022 and other matters.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the arrests aided in the fight against "activities aimed at tampering with security and jeopardizing the country's stability."