BEIRUT - A truck loaded with 50 kilograms  of explosives was seized overnight while on its way toward the Syrian border, outgoing state minister Albert Mansur said Saturday.

"The truck loaded with explosives was heading to Syria, according to sources of the investigation," Mansur said on LBCI television.

The truck was later said to have be heading to Syria across the borders with Al Qaa region.

Later reports received by Lebanonwire confirmed the explosives were laid under plastic boxes containing fruits and vegtables.

The reports further revealed that  four Lebanese and one Lebanese-naturalized Syrian were arrested, and were being interrogated by Biqaa Magistrate Samir Sader.

The four were found in pocession of USD3000 each, the reports added.

Police earlier said security forces had seized a Hyundai truck in the northeastern district of Hermel, a few miles (kilometres) from Syria. They said the explosives were hidden under carts of vegetables.

The driver, identified as Muwafaq Ibrahim, from the village of Hawsh Hala near the main eastern city of Zahleh, was arrested, they said.

A wave of bomb blasts have shaken Lebanon since the February 14 explosion that killed ex-premier Rafiq Hariri and sparked anti-Syrian protests that led Damascus to start its final troop pullout from its smaller neighbor.

The withdrawal is due to be completed by April 30.

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