Australia

Australian man has been arrested in Lebanon over suspected terror links

An Australian man has reportedly been arrested in Lebanon over suspected terror links.

The Lebanese born man arrived in the country a month ago and was arrested on Sunday night by military intelligence in an apartment in the town of Dahr al-Ain, Lebanon’s Daily Star newspaper reported. A security source told the newspaper the man was from Tripoli, a hotbed of Sunni extremists with links to Islamic State militants.

The National News Agency identified the man, said to be in his 20s, only by the initials T.H.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was trying to the reports.

It’s understood DFAT is seeking to confirm details about the reported arrest with authorities in Lebanon.

DFAT will offer the man consular assistance in accordance with its Consular Services Charter, depending on the outcome of its inquiries.

In recent months, thousands of people of different nationalities have been joining the al-Qa’ida affiliate al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State, which has been controlling large territories in Iraq and Syria since proclaiming its caliphate in June.