Syrian rocket hits Lebanon's Hermel, media says

A rocket from Syrian territories landed on Tuesday on the outskirts of the eastern Bekaa town of Hermel, a Hezbollah stronghold, media reports said.

However, the state-run National News Agency reported that explosion sounds heard in Hermel were caused by a raid carried out by Syrian planes inside Syria near the border region of al-Qaa in the northern Bekaa.

Hermel's Municipal Chief Sobhi Saqr denied in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that a blast rocked the town, pointing out that Syrian planes bombarded areas in the eastern mountain range on the Lebanese-Syrian border .

Hermel and other Bekaa areas were hit by several rockets in recent months, with Syrian rebels claiming most of the attacks, which they say are in retaliation to Hezbollah's military intervention in Syria.

Meanwhile, security forces began fortifying its presence in Hermel by taking extraordinary measures inside the town and on its entrances.

The army erected checkpoints in the town to thoroughly inspect vehicles and checking the identification papers of passers-by.

The measures were taken by the army after residents demanded a comprehensive plan to prevent any new blast in the area.

Hermel was the target of several attacks recently, particularly after Hezbollah sent men to Syria to fight alongside President Bashar Assad's troops against mainly Sunni rebel groups.