BEIRUT: The Municipality of Baalbek ousted a council member Monday after he was accused of collaborating with Israel, the National News Agency reported.

Members of the council took action against Ali Yaghi after putting the decision to a vote. “The city of Baalbek will remain a safe haven for the resistance,” said a statement issued by the council following the ousting. “A collaborator with the enemy has no religion or sect,” the statement added.

Yaghi was first held by Hezbollah and interrogated for seven months before he was handed over to Army Intelligence. Military Investigative Judge Imad Zein issued a decision to arrest Yaghi three weeks ago for spying.

A retired employee from the Public Works and Transport Ministry, Yaghi is accused of providing Israel with information about the military headquarters of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Army and Syrian troops who were stationed in Lebanon until April 2005.

Yaghi has allegedly received $600,000 from the Jewish state since he began working for it and held meetings with Israeli officers in a number of countries including Israel.