The army intelligence arrested on Thursday the so-called emir of the Islamic State group in Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian Refugee camp Imad Yassine, the National News Agency reported.
“Following close surveillance and followup and in a special operation, a force from the Intelligence Directorate managed this morning to arrest the Palestinian Imad Yassine, who is known as the emir of the IS group in Ain el-Hilweh,” an army statement said.
It said Yassine was arrested in Ain el-Hilweh's al-Tawari neighborhood.
“Yassine, who was wanted on multiple arrest warrants, had been plotting prior to his arrest to stage several terrorist bombings against army posts, vital and touristic facilities, shopping centers, popular gatherings and residential areas in several Lebanese regions,” the army added.
“He was tasked with his missions by terrorist organizations based outside the country,” the military said.
It was reported in July that Yassine had received orders from IS foreign operations chief Abu Khaled al-Iraqi to stage major "Iraq-like bombings" across Lebanon.