Lebanon's Internal Security Forces arrested five Lebanese and Syrian nationals on Wednesday over allegations that they helped bring people from Syria into Lebanon through the northern border and transport them to the Bekaa Valley for military training, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The suspects are currently being questioned under the supervision of Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation Ahmad Rami el-Hajj, who has ordered authorities to broaden the investigation into the suspected network.
According to NNA, security forces recovered machine guns, sniper rifles and explosives in the operation. Investigators are also searching for additional individuals whose names surfaced during the probe.
Once the preliminary investigation is concluded, the case is expected to be transferred to the military judiciary.
The arrests followed media reports alleging that the suspects belonged to a cell working to undermine security in both Lebanon and Syria. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization, however, issued a statement "categorically" denying any connection to the group.
The arrests come as tensions continue between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government over a framework agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon in June with US mediation.
Under the agreement, Israel is to gradually withdraw from Lebanon in return for the complete disarmament of Hezbollah. The deal also calls for the Lebanese Armed Forces to enter designated "pilot zones" following the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Hezbollah was excluded from the agreement and has continued to oppose both direct talks with Israel and calls for the group to give up its weapons.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reaffirmed that position last week, rejecting the framework and demanding that it be scrapped.
"We reject the framework agreement with Israel and call for its cancellation. We do not agree to the pilot zones or their outcomes. The framework agreement is illegitimate, illegal, humiliating, and undermines Lebanese sovereignty," Qassem said in televised remarks.
"The Lebanese authorities have chosen a path that dishonors them, Lebanon, and the sacrifices of the Lebanese people. Say no for once. Try to show that you have what it takes to achieve something in the future," he added.
Qassem also asserted that Hezbollah had succeeded in blocking what he described as Israel's territorial ambitions.
"We have thwarted the so-called 'Greater Israel' project and prevented it from reaching Beirut and undermining Lebanon's power and capabilities."
"Today," he continued, "the enemy does not dare to build settlements in southern Lebanon because, due to the presence of the resistance, the situation there is unstable for them."