Lebanon's Deputy Commissioner to the Military Tribunal Judge Sami Sader charged Saturday former minister Michel Samaha andSyrian security chief Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk with forming a group to commit terrorist acts in Lebanon, the National News Agency reported.

The Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch arrested Samaha at his home in the North Metn town of Jwar al-Khenshara on Thursday morning, without revealing the reasons for arrest, but the official reason was "for security reasons".

The two were also charged with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures.

The indictment said that "General Mamlouk is suspected of forming a group to provoke sectarian killings and terrorist acts using explosives, which were transported and stored by Samaha."

An arrest warrant was issued against Samaha after evidence, including video footage, proved his involvement in the plot.

The Voice of Lebanon radio station reported that if the charges were proven then the culprits might be sentenced to hard labor or death.

Judge Sader referred the case to Military Examining Magistrate Judge Riad Abu Ghida who will carry on the investigation with the suspects on Monday.

Samaha is a former Member of Parliament and minister of Information and holds strong relations with the close advisory group of Syrian president Bashar Assad.