Lebanese defense minister: Army exerts strenuous efforts to control borders

BEIRUT, Aug 19 (MENA) - Lebanese Minister of Defense Ilias Bo Saab said on Monday his country's military exerts strenuous efforts at the political and military levels to control Lebanon's borders, combat smuggling and shut down illegal crossings with Syria.

In a press conference to outline the armed forces' efforts in controlling the borders, Saab said the major smuggling operations take place through legal facilities such as airports and ports, putting the value of smuggled goods at 2 billion dollars a year.

He dismissed reports that the authorities did not act decisively to stop the smuggling of goods, saying such accusations targeted the Lebanese military.

Saab said army forces are deployed along the country's borders and established watchtowers equipped with night cameras and near-infrared and laser radiation devices in cooperation with the United States, Britain and Germany to control the borders.