Latest reports indicate that heavy clashes continue between the al-Qaeda-linked Takfiri insurgents and the Lebanese army along Lebanon's border with Syria.

At least 10 Lebanese soldiers were killed and 25 wounded in fighting in the Lebanese village of Arsal.

Earlier, Lebanese security forces arrested a man on suspected links to the insurgency in Syria. A Lebanese military source says the unrest in Arsal is not linked to the arrest.

Meanwhile, Lebanese army General Jean Kahwaji described the insurgency in the area as preplanned.

Kahwaji said he was concerned that the ongoing al-Qaeda linked insurgency in neighboring countries could spread to Lebanon as well. He added that the Lebanese army will not allow such a scenario to happen.

This comes as the Syrian government troops have captured most of the insurgent-held towns along the mountainous frontier since their offensive began in November 2013.

Over the past months, the Syrian army has achieved major victories in its battle against Takfiri groups across the country, particularly in the strategic Qalamoun region near the Lebanese border.

The Syrian army gains have forced the US and its regional allies such as Saudi Arabia to increase the bulk of aid for the al-Qaeda-linked terrorism.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. Over 160,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by the Western-backed militants.

The West and its regional allies including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are giving financial and military support to the militants.

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