BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities have detained a senior member of a Christian party allied with the Shiite Hezbollah on suspicion of spying for Israel, a source close to the party told AFP on Wednesday.
"Fayez Karam of (retired) General Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement is being held for questioning for his possible involvement in espionage" on behalf of Israel, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Karam was a general in the Lebanese army during the country’s 1975-1990 civil war but quit the military after Aoun, who was army chief and who fought Syrian troops near the end of the war, went into exile in France.
Aoun returned to Lebanon in 2005, one month after Syria withdrew its troops following a 29-year presence.
In a controversial move in 2006, he entered an alliance with the Iran- and Syria-backed Hezbollah. He also caused a stir by visiting Damascus and Tehran.
More than 70 people have been arrested on suspicion of spying for the Israeli Mossad since April 2009, when the government launched a nationwide crackdown on alleged rings.
The arrests include members of the security forces and telecom employees.
Three men have since been sentenced to death, including one found guilty of aiding Israel during its devastating 2006 war with Hezbollah.
