Lebanese army dismantles explosive device

The Lebanese army dismantled an explosive device and an anti-tank mine on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal on Saturday, the military said.
"The bomb was placed on the side of a road that the army frequently uses in its patrols and contained 20 kg of explosives," the army Guidance Directorate said in a statement, adding that the bomb was discovered as the military was searching a number of roads on the outskirts of Arsal.
The troops also unearthed an anti-tank mine in the area. The explosive device and the mine were both prepared to be remotely detonated.
In August, the army engaged in Arsal with Islamist gunmen from al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State (IS) from Syria who had overran the town.
After five days of deadly clashes, the gunmen withdrew back to Syria taking with them at least 28 soldiers and policemen as hostages. Later al-Nusra Front executed two soldiers, while the IS beheaded another one.
Earlier in November, the army also dismantled a booby trapped car in Arsal, while a landmine exploded at one of its patrols, injuring three soldiers.