Lebanon's Internal Security Forces (ISF) Director General Ashraf Rifi on Wednesday denied reports saying that al-Qaida terrorists are infiltrating Lebanon, pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat reported Wednesday.
"No al-Qaida Jihadist movement members are infiltrating into Palestinian refugee camps," Rifi told the newspaper.
"Security in Lebanon is not exposed," Rifi said, adding that "the country is enjoying more stability, and security and military forces are playing their role fully."
The ISF Director General said "rumors about the infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan and Gulf countries harm Lebanon's economy and tourist country image."
Local An Nahar daily reported in December that al-Qaida militants are plotting terrorist attacks against state institutions and foreign missions in Lebanon.
The newspaper quoted a well-informed security source as saying that Lebanese security agencies have received information about the infiltration of al-Qaida militants into the country from Pakistan via Turkey, Greece and the Lebanese-Syrian border.
The militants are seeking refuge in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, the source said.
As an al-Qaida-inspired militia, Fatah al-Islam, fought fierce battles with the Lebanese army in Nahr al-Bared camp in north Lebanon in 2007.