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Lebanese army targets crime rings Lebanese army targets crime rings
(3 days later)
The Lebanese army is conducting a massive operation against crime rings in the country's volatile Bekaa Valley.The Lebanese army is conducting a massive operation against crime rings in the country's volatile Bekaa Valley.
The army says it has arrested dozens of people and confiscated arms and drugs in an operation that comes days after four soldiers were killed in the area.The army says it has arrested dozens of people and confiscated arms and drugs in an operation that comes days after four soldiers were killed in the area.
For days, Lebanese special forces' helicopters have been circling over the Bekaa Valley.For days, Lebanese special forces' helicopters have been circling over the Bekaa Valley.
On the ground below them, soldiers have been raiding homes and surrounding villages.On the ground below them, soldiers have been raiding homes and surrounding villages.
On Wednesday night, the army announced the first results of the ongoing operation against the region's notorious crime rings.On Wednesday night, the army announced the first results of the ongoing operation against the region's notorious crime rings.
The army statement said it had arrested 69 people and found large quantities of weapons, ammunition, counterfeit money and drug-producing equipment.The army statement said it had arrested 69 people and found large quantities of weapons, ammunition, counterfeit money and drug-producing equipment.
This operation is unusual for Lebanon, where the government has long preferred to distance itself from both the problems and the crime syndicates of the Bekaa Valley.This operation is unusual for Lebanon, where the government has long preferred to distance itself from both the problems and the crime syndicates of the Bekaa Valley.
href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7996482.stm">Four soldiers killed in Lebanon href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7996482.stm"> Four soldiers killed in Lebanon
Neglected by the central government, the region is ruled by powerful clans that are in control of Bekaa's famous hashish plantations - which are also a major source of income for thousands of farmers.Neglected by the central government, the region is ruled by powerful clans that are in control of Bekaa's famous hashish plantations - which are also a major source of income for thousands of farmers.
Last month, a prominent drug baron was killed by the army after refusing to stop at a checkpoint.Last month, a prominent drug baron was killed by the army after refusing to stop at a checkpoint.
Then just three days ago unidentified gunmen opened fire at an army vehicle, killing four soldiers in an attack which many believed was revenge for the drug baron.Then just three days ago unidentified gunmen opened fire at an army vehicle, killing four soldiers in an attack which many believed was revenge for the drug baron.
The army says its operation will continue until the crime rings are crushed.The army says its operation will continue until the crime rings are crushed.
But it is not clear how much time, and military muscle, that will take.But it is not clear how much time, and military muscle, that will take.