In brief: Lebanon says CIA warned Hezbollah

BEIRUT – The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency warned Lebanese officials last week that al-Qaida-linked groups are planning a campaign of bombings that will target Beirut’s Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs as well as other political targets associated with the group or its allies in Syria, Lebanese officials said Monday.

The unusual warning – U.S. government officials are barred from directly contacting Hezbollah, which the U.S. has designated an international terrorist organization – was passed from the CIA’s Beirut station chief to several Lebanese security and intelligence officials in a meeting late last week with the understanding that it would be passed to Hezbollah, Lebanese officials said.

Hezbollah officials acknowledged the warning and took steps to tighten security in the southern suburbs that are known locally as Dahiya.

One Lebanese official who was at the meeting said the CIA warning included evidence that was “very convincing and scary” because it was so specific. The evidence included phone intercepts and very detailed information on a number of cells operating along Lebanon’s border with Syria, as well as inside Beirut itself.

Panama seizes North Korean ship

PANAMA CITY – Panama’s president said on his Twitter account that authorities have seized a North Korean-flagged ship traveling from Cuba with “undeclared military cargo.”

President Ricardo Martinelli offered no details but posted a photo of what appeared to be a green tubular object sitting inside a cargo container or the ship’s hold.

Panamanian officials verified the tweet was authentic but did not immediately respond to requests for further details.

France confirms body is hostage

PARIS – President Francois Hollande’s office formally confirmed on Monday the death of a French hostage in Mali, ending the uncertainty about the status of one of six French citizens captured by al-Qaida’s North African arm.

A statement from the president’s office said an autopsy would be performed to learn the cause of death of Philippe Verdon once the body is transferred to France. Tests were conducted on the body to verify the identity.

The media arm of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, had said on Twitter in April that Verdon was dead after an unofficial announcement in March. Verdon, in his early 50s, had been captured in northeastern Mali in November 2011 along with another French citizen. Both were reportedly on a business trip.

The al-Qaida-linked group, which said they were abducted from their hotel room, alleged they were French spies. AQIM is still believed to be holding five French hostages.

Verdon was known to be in ill health and there has been speculation that his death was related to pre-existing conditions. However, AQIM took credit for his death, saying in April that the fate of the remaining captives “is in the hands of French President Francois Hollande and the door is still open to find a just solution.”