Israel does not deny accusations that dozens of men arrested recently in Lebanon were spying on its behalf, according to a report published by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Lebanese authorities in recent months claimed to have detained dozens of suspects in an espionage investigation, including several senior military officials.

According to the UN report, the first arrest took place in June 2006 and the most recent took place in May 2009.

Israel has not previously commented on the arrests.

The report said Israel's defense establishment does not deny the suspects were spying on its behalf, but evades offering a more elaborate explanation.

The report, which Ban sent to the UN Security Council on Monday night, addresses the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which outlined conditions for a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon after the Second Lebanon War in 2006.

Ban's report expresses concern about Lebanon's claims regarding the suspected espionage ring. Ban said that, if the allegations are proven, it would endanger the fragile truce between Israel and Lebanon.

The report also describes the chain of diplomatic correspondence between the UN, Lebanon and Israel on the subject, including a May 20 letter in which Lebanon detailed to the UN its arrest of 35 Lebanese and Palestinian nationals that were allegedly part of the espionage ring.