Lebanese army reinforces security on border with Syria

HERMEL, Lebanon, March 18 (UPI) -- Lebanon's army detonated a car rigged with explosives and arrested suspects in Ras Baalbek, Lebanon, a spillover of the crisis in neighboring Syria.

Officials received a tip the vehicle, parked near a school, could be filled with explosives, the army said in a statement.

The vehicle is believed to have accompanied another car that traveled from Syria to the Lebanese village of Nabi Othman and exploded Sunday, the Daily Star reported in Beirut reported Tuesday.

The army also stepped up security measures along Lebanon's border with Syria after the Syrian army, backed by Hezbollah, regained control of the previously rebel-held city of Yabroud, the Daily Star said.

Lebanese army airborne units were deployed along the border, conducted sweeps of border communities, and worked to seal illegal border crossings in northeast Lebanon.

The army said 19 Syrian and two Lebanese men, all armed, were detained after attempting to cross the border into Lebanon.