ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Lebanese security authorities have arrested a Syrian national affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) following intensive monitoring and tracking operations.
According to information obtained by Al Arabiya, Lebanese Army Intelligence detained the man in the Batroun area of northern Lebanon. During questioning, the detainee admitted to having remained in constant contact with the group’s leadership in Syria, which had assigned him several tasks in Lebanon aimed at destabilising security and spreading fear among the population.
According to his confession, the “biggest mission” assigned to him was the assassination of Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Lebanon last year. Sources familiar with the case said that the Syrian leadership had instructed him to carry out the attack, but that he was unable to move to the operational stage due to a lack of resources.
The detainee had entered Lebanon illegally, maintained contacts with ISIS and held a position of responsibility within the organisation. Military Intelligence had been tracking him from the moment he entered the country until locating and arresting him in Batroun.
Lebanese authorities will share with their Syrian counterparts the information provided by the detainee regarding his links to ISIS. Security cooperation and coordination between Lebanon and Syria are already permanently in place.
– Photo: Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
