8 Syrians arrested in Lebanon on terror charges

 The Lebanese army Tuesday arrested eight Syrians suspected of membership in terrorist organizations.

"Syrian national Walid Ahmed Youssef, was apprehended Monday between the east Bekaa towns of Labweh and Arsal, for suspected membership in a terrorist group," the military said in a communique by the Guidance Directorate.

The communique added that "seven Syrians suspected of membership in terrorist organizations were also arrested on the outskirts of Arsal."

The army has beefed up its security measures in and around Arsal and other eastern border villages to halt the entrance of Syrian fighters.

Soldiers frequently clashed with jihadists from the al-Qaeda linked al-Nusra front as well as the Islamic State (IS), and in August of last year raided Arsal and abducted 35 soldiers and policemen before withdrawing to Syria.

The al-Nusra front subsequently executed four soldiers while IS beheaded another one.

The Lebanese government is negotiating the release of the remaining captives through a Qatari mediator.