ARSAL, Lebanon: The Lebanese Army Sunday arrested a Syrian rebel commander and his chauffeur near the northeastern border town of Arsal, a security source told The Daily Star.
The Lebanese Army issued a statement later saying it had arrested in the Arsal region, Lebanese national Khaled Hujeiri who was attempting to smuggle Syrian national Abdallah Hussein al-Rifai to the outskirts of Arsal on board of a Chevrolet pick up.
The Army said it confiscated a fake Lebanese ID in the possession of Rifai, who according to the statement, confessed to belonging to one of Syria's armed rebel groups.
The source said Rifai was a commander with a Free Syrian Army battalion fighting in Syria's Qalamoun region.
Rifai was disguised as a woman while riding on board of the Chevrolet pick up, the source said.
The Army's has had a heavy presence around Arsal since jihadist rebels briefly overran the town in early August.
The Army drove the militants into the outskirts after a five-day battle that left 19 soldiers and dozens of jihadists.
More than 30 soldiers and policemen were abducted during the battle, and 27 remain in custody after three were killed and seven released.
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