Al-Qaeda leader arrested in Lebanon

The Lebanese army arrested a prominent Al-Qaeda leader in Deir Ammar town, northeast of the city of Tripoli, Reuters reported.

In Saturday’s announcement, the man arrested was identified only as “T.M.” The Lebanese army said in a statement that the arrest took place on Friday.

“T.M. is one of the most prominent leaders of Al Qaeda and the founder of its cells in Lebanon,” it added.

“He has also played a key role in establishing the terrorist Fatah al-Islam organization,” the statement added, referring to an Al Qaeda-inspired group that used to be active in Lebanon over a decade ago.

The Lebanese army said T.M. withdrew from the spotlight in late 2007 following a fierce battle between the military and Fatah al-Islam at a refugee camp in northern Lebanon.

He returned to prominence after the rise of the Islamic State and the Syrian group Al-Nusra Front.

Lebanon’s Al-Qaeda affiliate is known as the Abdullah Azzam Brigades.

The Abdullah Azzam Brigades’ previous attacks included rocket fire on northern Israel.

Source » israelnationalnews