Lebanon arrests Israeli 'suspected spy at mobile phone network'

AFP — Lebanon has arrested a technician working for a mobile telephone network who is suspected of spying for Israel, the country's telecommunications minister said on Sunday.

"Last Thursday, a technician who works for the Alfa company was arrested by the security services," the minister, Charbel Nahhas, told AFP.

"An investigation has been opened into possible collaboration (between the person) and Israel," Nahhas said.

The minister denied the suspect was a key employee at the mobile telephone network operator, as had been reported in Lebanese media on Sunday.

Lebanon has arrested more than 70 people since launching a major crackdown in April 2009 against suspected Israeli spy networks, including security force members with equipment for monitoring communications.

Israel has not commented on the arrests.

Lebanon and Israel remain technically in a state of war, and convicted spies face life in prison with hard labour or the death penalty if found guilty of contributing to Lebanese loss of life.