Lebanon 'thwarts terror plot'

Lebanon is under pressure to act against anti-Israeli groups

Lebanon says it has arrested members of a "terrorist network" who were planning to attack a Western embassy and other targets in the country.

A Lebanese army statement described the embassy as belonging to a "major Western state", a description commonly used in the Lebanese media to refer to the United States.

The statement did not identify the suspects, whom it said were detained with the help of Syrian military intelligence.

The announcement came three days after terrorists bombed Western compounds in Saudi Arabia, killing at least 34 people.

The United States has recently exerted pressure on Syria and Lebanon to stop harbouring anti-Israeli militant groups which Washington considers terrorist organisations.

Syria is the main power broker in Lebanon, where it maintains about 25,000 troops.

Syrian role

The army statement said the terror cell was also planning to attack "security and military outposts" and to kidnap Lebanese officials to bargain for the release of detainees.

Syria is the main power broker in Lebanon

It did not say how many people were arrested but said they would be handed over to the "appropriate judicial authorities".

The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says it is interesting that the Lebanese army statement mentions the help of the Syrian army.

She says both countries are under pressure from the US and are eager to show that, despite American accusations, they are doing their part in the war against terrorism.

A spokeswoman at the US embassy in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, declined to comment on the report, the Associated Press news agency said.

Last week, Lebanese officials said the army had arrested suspects who were planning to kill the US ambassador.

Another seven men, including two Palestinians, were accused of a string of attacks against American fast-food restaurants in Lebanon.