IAF Aircraft
IAF AircraftIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Military Investigative Judge Imad al-Zain issued an arrest warrant on Monday for a Lebanese citizen accused of contacting Israel and providing the country with information regarding missing Israeli soldier, Ron Arad.

The man, identified by his initials, G.M., has been detained.

Lieutenant Colonel Arad was an Israeli Air Force weapon systems officer who has been classified as missing in action since October 1986, when his F-4 Phantom fighter-bomber was shot down. The pilot was rescued and taken back to Israel.

He was allegedly captured by the Shiite movement AMAL, headed by Nabih Berri, now parliament speaker, Naharnet news reported.

In January 2006, the head of Hizbullah Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah announced that Arad was probably dead. Nassrallah, however, did not present proof to support his claims.

Hizbullah had agreed to provide information on Arad's fate, in exchange for the release of Lebanese prisoner Samir Kuntar, who was being detained by Israel. Kantar was returned, but the agreement was never finalized.