Lebanese media reported Thursday that exiled former MK Azmi Bishara was in Damascus to secure the release of Hilmi Moussa, Israel-affairs reporter for Lebanese newspaper A Safir, who has been held in Syria since Sunday on suspicion of contacting an Israeli agent or one of a number of Lebanese recently arrested on charges of spying for Israel. Syrian security forces reportedly arrested Moussa while he was making a speech in Damascus.

Bishara is suspected of spying on Israel for Hizbullah during the Second Lebanon War. Israel Radio reported that Damascus has not responded to the allegations.