BEIRUT, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Army has arrested a senior Islamic State (IS) figure believed to be the group's current leader in Lebanon, marking a significant development in the country's counterterrorism efforts.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the army said the man, identified by the initials "R.F." and known by the alias "Qassoura," was captured following a series of intelligence-driven operations. He was described as a prominent figure within the IS network operating in Lebanon.

A cache of weapons and ammunition was reportedly found in his possession, along with electronic equipment and materials suspected to be used in drone manufacturing, the army said.

According to the statement, Qassoura took over the IS group's leadership in Lebanon after the arrest of his predecessor, Abu Said al-Shami, and several other senior operatives on Dec. 27, 2024.

The arrest comes just days after a suicide bombing at a church in neighboring Syria killed at least 25 people -- an attack Syrian authorities have blamed on IS.

Though IS has maintained a smaller presence in Lebanon compared to Syria and Iraq, the group and other extremist factions have periodically clashed with the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah, particularly in the country's northern and eastern regions. Enditem