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Russia Sees Al-Qaeda Growth in Lebanon

Russia has voiced fears that al-Qaeda is spreading in Lebanon, and Nasser Chararah reports that the group is setting down roots to help fighters in neighboring Syria.
Lebanon's House Speaker Nabih Berri speaks during a rally organized by members of the Amal movement to mark the 33rd anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr, who was the founder and leader of the Amal movement in Lebanon, in Baalbeck, in the Bekaa valley August 31, 2011.  Sadr, the founder of the Shi'ite Amal movement, disappeared with his two companions on a visit to Libya in 1978. REUTERS/ Ahmad Shalha (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)
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In preparation for any hazardous security developments, Moscow has formulated a plan to evacuate its nationals from Lebanon, an informed Russian source told Al-Monitor. The evacuation would encompass 33,000 residents and would be carried out by Russian sea vessels, given that the humble capacity of Beirut International Airport would not allow for the evacuation of such a large number of people in a short time.

The Russian source revealed that similar plans to press ahead with evacuation were put on the agenda of other Western countries which, like Russia, would opt for naval evacuations for logistical reasons.

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