Lebanese militia officer surrenders to Lebanese Army

Marwan Khalil Nabaa, a member of the Israeli-allied South Lebanon Army militia from the Lebanese occupied town of Shabaa on Tuesday fled and surrendered to the Lebanese Army in Rashaya district, adjacent to the occupied part of south Lebanon and the western Bekaa.

Nabaa was serving in the eastern sector and is the brother of Muhammad Nabaa, currently arrested by the Lebanese security forces.

His surrender comes following the heavy strikes waged by the Lebanese resistance against the Israeli occupation forces and the collapse in the lines of the SLA militia.

Further reports from south Lebanon stated that Lebanese security sources said on Tuesday that Nabaa, an officer in the militia, had defected and surrendered to the Lebanese Army.

The SLA could not confirm that Marwan Khalil Nabaa, described as a liaison officer with Israel Mossad secret service, had quit the militia which helps Israel patrol its south Lebanon occupation zone. Nabaa's family members said that, "He left the house on Monday evening and has yet to come back."

Nabaa's reported defection follows what seems to be an Israeli crackdown on the SLA. On Sunday, SLA sources said Israel detained three militia intelligence officers on suspicions that they aided Hizbullah resistance fighters.

The Lebanese resistance has this year killed seven Israelis, including a brigadier general and one SLA militiaman. The reports added that Nabaa's brother Muhammad, was also in the SLA intelligence, defected from the militia last month.

Lebanese security sources said Israel had restricted access to the occupied south Lebanon village of Hasbaya and was questioning several SLA officers stationed there.