Beirut: The growing presence of Sunni Islamist militants in Lebanon is a growing threat to the region’s security, political sources and diplomats say.

The group, which may have links to Al Qaida, are rapidly expanding their influence in the country.

A senior Lebanese political source said sleeper cells particularly pose a great threat, adding that their presence is becoming strong on the ground as well as financially.

Diplomats have also said that militancy is their main security concern in Lebanon, where stability is dwindling over the last three years mainly due to bombings, political killings and the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Militants who have returned from fighting in Iraq mostly comprise the groups, experts believe.