Arsal municipal chief Ali al-Hujairi expressed concern Saturday over attempts by Hizbullah and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to drag the northeastern border town into battle.

“They are trying to pull Arsal into a dark tunnel of blood and fire,” Hujairi said in comments published in the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper.

He hailed the Lebanese army for preventing the mercenaries from meddling with the town’s security and stability.

The municipal chief accused a number of Hizbullah affiliates of “placing the explosive-rigged car in Arsal,” revealing that the army is aware of their names and political ties.

Explosive experts dismantled Thursday a car rigged with 35 kilograms of explosives in the town.

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