BEIRUT

The Lebanese army said on Friday that it arrested three Sudanese nationals after a failed border-crossing attempt to Israel.

According to a statement by the Lebanese army, the three Sudanese were returned to Lebanon after being captured by Israeli forces.

"The enemy forces arrested the three persons before being released and returned back to Lebanese territories," the statement said.

The Lebanese army added that the three Sudanese were currently being held to be interrogated in the presence of a judicial authority.

Earlier on Friday, Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army spokesperson, said in a statement that Israeli army lookouts observed three suspects trying to cross the fenced border with Lebanon.

Adraee added the suspects had been questioned in the field.

In May, the Lebanese army also said it stopped five Sudanese in two different incidents while trying to cross into Israel.

Sudanese nationals have tried to leave Lebanon on multiple occasions in recent days to Israel in search of work opportunities, as dire economic conditions plague the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara