Syria says it foiled arms shipment

Syrian customs officers have thwarted an attempt to smuggle arms to Lebanon through an Iraqi truck, Syria’s official news agency, SANA, reported Sunday.

The truck, carrying 95 9mm guns, a 9mm machine gun, a Russian rifle, 190 bullets and 290 clips, was seized as it was traveling through the Arida border crossing heading to the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli last week, SANA quoted a Syrian customs official as saying.

The news agency said the arms, concealed under the truck, were to be delivered to a restaurant owner in Tripoli.

The smugglers, whose identities were not disclosed, have been arrested and handed over to Syrian authorities for investigation, SANA said. Lebanese officials were not immediately available for comment.