Security sweep in Hermel

In the biggest security sweep in eastern Lebanon in more than 20 years, some 2,000 policemen and soldiers raided the Hermel area in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, arresting car thieves and outlaws and seizing stolen cars in the region

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The surprise army crackdown came on the eve of mass demonstrations and rallies in Baalbek planned by Sheik Sobhi Tufeili, a Shiite Muslim cleric who, in July, launched a "hunger revolt" to force the government to improve worsening economic conditions for its citizens

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Tufeili, former secretary-general of the Hezbollah guerrilla group, has called for public mutiny and civil disobedience, such as withholding taxes and utility payments

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The security sweep this weekend started Friday evening when some 2,000 troops, aided by choppers and armored personnel carriers stormed the impoverished Hermel region in hunt for car thieves and outlaws. Dozens of stolen cars, spare parts, weapons and drugs were seized in the raid

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Security sources said Saturday that the presence of the army troops was also aimed at discouraging citizens from taking part in demonstrations by Tufeili, who has called on his followers to block all the region's outlets

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The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the army had clear orders to stop the demonstrations, using force if necessary

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Defense Minister Mohsen Dalloul said weapons permits will not be valid for use in the Bekaa region as of midnight Saturday

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