Beirut airport workers detained over 'contact with terrorists'

Beirut airport workers detained over 'contact with terrorists'
At least two workers at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport were arrested over contact with militant groups, Lebanon's security sources revealed on Sunday.
2 min read
10 April, 2016
Lebanonese interior minister and transport minister both warned of security gaps in Beirut's airport [Getty]
At least two airport employees were detained by the Lebanese authorities over contact with terrorist groups, security sources said on Sunday. 

The suspects were questioned amid investigations into their relation to militant groups.

The connection was discovered after employees at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut underwent random security checks.

The arrest took place two days ago, the Lebanese Daily Star reported.

No further information was disclosed as to the nature of the charges.

Last month, Lebanon's interior minister Nohad Machnouk and transport minister Ghazi Zeaiter warned of security gaps in Beirut's airport.

Their comments came after dozens were killed in IS-claimed attacks at the Brussel airport in March.

At least $24 million was needed to work on the pressing security gaps in Beirut's airport, Ghazi Zeaiter said.

Concerns for airport security in the region peaked following the alleged Islamic State downing of a Russian jet over Sinai last year.

The security plans included updating baggage inspection devices.

"The only option I have is [to] ask the finance minister to allocate the necessary funds to hold the tenders," Nohad Machnouk said.

He warned of the grave danger an attack on Lebanon's only international airport will have on the country.

"The only way to face terrorism is through more security cooperation and coordination between European, Arab and international bodies to confront extremism," he said.

Lebanon has fallen victim to both the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front terror suicide bomb attacks following the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011.

Concerns for airport security in the region peaked following the alleged Islamic State downing of a Russian jet over Sinai last year.

In late March, an EgyptAir flight was hijacked and re-routed to Cyprus, but no terrorist link was established.