Suspected terrorists detained in Lebanon (plotting attacks against U.N. peacekeepers)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 10/15/07 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanese military intelligence officials have detained members of a suspected "terrorist network" for plotting attacks against U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, the army said Monday.

The group had planted a bomb near the southern city of Tyre in an attempt to target a U.N. patrol, but it did not explode because of a problem with the trigger, the army said in a statement.

The suspects also admitted they planned to plant two other bombs in the area and detonate them within a short period "in order to cause maximum casualties among the forces," the statement said.

Two bombs were confiscated and several detainees were referred to judicial authorities, the statement said.

Officials did not say how many people were detained but added they included foreigners.

There have been two attacks against U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon in recent months.

In June, a U.N. armored personnel carrier was struck by a bomb, killing six Spanish peacekeepers in the first such attack against the U.N. force. A month later, a roadside bomb exploded near a U.N. jeep in the village of Qassimiyeh, causing damage but no casualties.

Thousands of U.N. peacekeepers were deployed in southern Lebanon last year along with 15,000 Lebanese troops following a 34-day war between Israel and the militant Hezbollah group.