Beirut, May 21 (IANS): The Lebanese Army Intelligence Directorate has confirmed the arrest of a high-ranking al-Qaeda member in northern Lebanon.
The statement, while withholding the suspect's identity, revealed on Saturday that the apprehension took place in Deir Ammar, a town in the northern region, following an extensive security operation.
The detained individual played a pivotal role in establishing the terrorist organisation known as Fatah al-Islam, which maintained ties with al-Qaeda and operated within Lebanon more than 10 years ago, Xinhua news agency reported.
He also assumed a significant role in the emergence of the Islamic State and the al-Nusra Front, the statement said, adding that investigations are ongoing with the detainees under the supervision of "competent judiciary bodies".