Turkish battalion freezes activity in Lebanon

The Turkish battalion part of the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in Shu`aytiyah, Lebanon, is set to freeze its activities after threats from the families of the Lebanese pilgrims held in Aazaz, Syria. Last week, demonstrators outside the Turkish embassy in Beirut said they would intensify their protests against Turkish interests in Lebanon, including the Turkish battalion working with UNIFIL. A security source told Arabstoday that the soldiers were told by the Turkish embassy to remain in location and freeze their activities, due to fears of being kidnapped by families of the Lebanese pilgrims and being used as exchange for the pilgrims. The source added that Lebanese security forces increased their presence around the site to protect against any emergency. Further precautionary measures were taken by the regiment itself, including the installation of barbed wire in the vicinity of the site which was fortified with cement blocks, electronic iron gate and warning sirens.