Hezbollah gives up checkpoints in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said Wednesday there are no longer checkpoints manned by Hezbollah in the country.

Hezbollah last week handed over two of its checkpoints in the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek to the Lebanese military. Late September clashes there between Hezbollah and Sunni rivals left four people dead.

Charbel confirmed Lebanese security forces took control of several checkpoints across the country manned by members of Hezbollah.

"There are no more Hezbollah checkpoints on Lebanese territory," he was quoted by The Daily Star as saying.

Hezbollah ramped up its security operations in southern Beirut after a string of recent attacks. Some of the violence was attributed to Hezbollah's role in Syria's civil war.

Charbel said security over southern Beirut was "getting better day after day."

Hezbollah's military wing was listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union this year. It holds legislative positions on the Lebanese government through its political arm.

Lebanon broke free of Syrian influence with its Cedar Revolution in 2005.