Anti-Hizbullah Clergyman Suspected of Collaborating with Israel

The army intelligence has detained the secretary-general of the Arabic-Islamic Council after suspecting that he collaborated with the Israeli Mossad, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Mohammed Ali H., who is a clergyman, was moved to the ministry of defense in Yarze from his home in the southern port city of Tyre for interrogation, the daily said.

High-ranking security sources refused to confirm or deny if the detainee admitted to collaborating with Israel.

The secretary-general was under surveillance for around a year, when the Information Branch of the Directorate General of Internal Security forces suspected his collaboration with the Mossad, security sources told al-Akhbar.

The clergyman is a strong critic of Hizbullah, Iran and Syria. He is said to be receiving money from Saudi Arabia for his movement.

In 2009, he announced the formation of a military force with 1,500 fighters named “The Arabic-Islamic Resistance” against Israel, al-Akhbar said.