Lebanese army detains Bashar Assad’s relative on weapons and drugs charges

Lebanese army apprehends Suleiman Hilal Al Assad, cousin of former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, in Bekaa region on Friday, along with two others, according to a Lebanese security source. The detainees were allegedly found in possession of drugs, the source stated under anonymity conditions. Among the arrested was Ali, son of Nouh Zaiter, a prominent Lebanese drug trafficker facing US, British, and European sanctions.

Zaiter was previously arrested by the Lebanese army in late 2025. Suleiman Hilal Al Assad was described as a civilian, not a former military officer, by the security source. The three detainees were transferred to the Lebanese Ministry of Defence for questioning, but no further details were immediately provided about the charges or arrest circumstances.