An attempted terror attack on the Italian Embassy in Beirut was recently thwarted, Rome revealed on Tuesday.
The Italian news agency ANSA quoted the Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino who confirmed that Italian military intelligence, in cooperation with the Lebanese and Syrian security forces, foiled the attempt.
The perpetrators planned on bombing the embassy using a truck laden with 300 kilograms (660lbs) of TNT. Martino said ten people were arrested for involvement in the attack and they were apparently affiliated with the Al-Qa’ida-linked A-Da’wa Wal-Qital group.
Sources close to the Lebanese Interior Ministry told the Lebanese daily Al-Mustaqbal that the terror group was uncovered more than ten days ago and that it included ten Lebanese, one of whom was arrested on Tuesday evening.
The sources said the network has extensions in Italy, Germany and Denmark.
ANSA reported that several Western interests in Lebanon were planned as targets of terror, including the American Embassy in Beirut.