The Lebanese army announced on Wednesday that it ambushed al-Nusra Front militants in the eastern Bekaa Valley overnight, leaving at least five jihadists dead.

The state-run National News Agency said troops saw gunmen moving from the northeastern border town of Arsal to its outskirts when it ambushed the militants in the area of al-Khazzan that lies between Wadi Ata and Aqaba al-Jird.

The army opened fire at the group of militants after issuing warnings to stop, said the military communique and NNA.

At least five fighters were killed and several of them were injured, they said.

The military identified one of the dead men as Syrian Ghaleb Saeed Ghiyyeh.

According to the news agency, the army units that are deployed in and around Arsal took additional measures following the clash to avoid any possible vengeful attacks.

Military patrols also combed the southern area of Arsal that stretches from Wadi Ata to al-Hosn and Wadi Hmeid, the agency added.

In a related development, the army said it has arrested a Lebanese man identified as Tareq Mohammed al-Hujeiri at a checkpoint near Arsal for attempting to smuggle a Syrian into Lebanon.

Khaled Braqi, the Syrian, later admitted to belonging to a terrorist organization, said the army communique.

G.K.

D.A.