Yesterday the Lebanese army and the Lebanese security forces were able to arrest the fugitive spokesman of Fatah al-Islam , a terrorist organization that was based in the Nahr el Bared Palestinian refugee camp. The army today released his picture and some details about him.As a spokesman and media coordinator for Fatah al-Islam he used the name of Abu Salim Taha. His real name is Mohamed Saleh Zawawi a Syrian citizen of Palestinian origin who came to Lebanon from the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus , Syria.
According to army sources the arrest of Zawawi could lead to the arrest of Shaker al Absi , the leader of Fatah al Islam who was able to escape. The majority alliance has accused Syria of creating, training and funding Fatah al-Islam. Shaker al-Absi , like Zawawi is also of Palestinian origin and like Zawawi he too came to Lebanon from Syria. Syria has denied any connections with Fatah al-Islam .
Update : 8 :00 PM Beirut time
This is how the army was able to find and arrest Zawawi. According to An Nahar newspaper the army received intelligence reports indicating that Fatah al-Islam fugitives were hiding at a deserted Palestinian base in the Tubul mountain overlooking the city of Tripoli. The army launched a lightning attack at dawn ( about 4 : AM ) yesterday and was able to find and arrest Zawawi along with 3 other key members of Fatah al Islam :
One Syrian - Omar Mohammad Othman , his title is Abu Al-HarethThe Syrian and the Saudi are key members of Fatah al-Islam leadership council which is called 'the Legitimate body '. The ' legitimate body' elected Absi as the leader of Fatah al- Islam. The four fugitives were taken to Army Intelligence Center where they were
One Saudi - Salem Amer Salman , his title is Abu Said
One Tunisian