A senior Lebanese military official has dismissed allegations of abuse against hundreds of Syrian detainees caught up in a security sweep in a refugee settlement.
The official tells The Associated Press Saturday the mass detentions were necessary to determine who was behind a series of attacks against Lebanese troops. He said the detention of 355 Syrians "is not a directed aggression against anyone." The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
A suicide bomber blew himself up among a family of Syrian refugees during raids on two settlements in Arsal on Friday, killing a girl. Another struck near troops, wounding three soldiers. Three other suicide bombers blew themselves up during the clashes.
Pictures of detainees flat on the ground with their hands bound sparked accusations of abuse.
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