Lebanese authorities have seized 60,000 rounds of ammunition hidden in two cars on an Italian container ship docked at Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli, a security source said Tuesday.
The source did not say where the shipment was heading. But Syria has repeatedly said weapons are being smuggled over its border from Lebanon and other countries to arm rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad.
The ammunition in the two cars, which were searched Monday, included rounds for 9 mm pistols and AK-47 assault rifles, the source said.
“The ship is Italian but picked up the two cars in [the Egyptian port of] Alexandria,” the source added.
In late April, Lebanese authorities seized a large consignment of Libyan weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and heavy-caliber ammunition, from a ship intercepted in the Mediterranean. The ship’s owner said the vessel was traveling to Tripoli in Lebanon.
Tripoli, a mainly Sunni Muslim city, has seen regular protests in support of the 14-month uprising against Assad.
