First, it was Lebanon's security forces making headlines for their work. Now, it's the Lebanese intelligence.
Lebanon's intelligence forces helped prevent a 'bomb plot' on an Etihad Airways flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, Lebanon's interior minister Nouhad Machnouk revealed Monday.
This came after Lebanese intelligence forces thoroughly began monitoring the individuals involved in the planned attack - an investigation which began one year ago.
Machnouk told reporters that Lebanese police intelligence "uncovered an operation that was going to take place on an Emirati flight [... and which] was going to be executed by a Lebanese national from the north."
The bomb was planned to be carried out by the so-called Islamic State, which had planted explosive devices inside a Barbie doll and a meat grinder, according to The National.
The flight was carrying about 400 people, including 120 Lebanese.
The planned attack was meant to be "a message for the UAE," Machnouk said, citing said country's role in the U.S.-led coalition against the terrorist group.
Four Lebanese-Australians were behind the planned attack
"They are four Lebanese-Australian brothers who had a personal vendetta, and one of them moved to Raqqa in Syria and joined [Daesh], and our intelligence kept track of him," Machnouk said.
Their plan was to blow up the plane "20 minutes after it took off."
Tarek Khayyat, the mastermind behind the whole plot, is a senior IS member based in Raqaa, Syria. Lebanese intelligence forces began tracking Tarek's brothers upon learning about his involvement with the terrorist group.
Two brothers - Khaled and Mahmoud Khayyat - are facing charges in Australia, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. They are scheduled to appear in court in November.
The fourth- Amer Khayyat - arrived in Lebanon mid-July, the day Australian police said the plotters tried to smuggle the bomb onto the flight, according to Newsweek.
In early August, Australian police said an unnamed Khayat brother had "no idea he was to carry an improvised explosive device on the flight, but Machnouk insisted that Amer Khayat was "involved in the operation."
Machnouk did not provide details on Amer since his arrival to the country. According to The National, Amer was reportedly arrested in Lebanon upon arrival.
Machnouk urged 'coordination' between Arab states
"When four Lebanese brothers in Australia decide to blow up an Emirati jet this means that the whole world should work together to fight terrorism. Coordination should be 24 hours a day between all security agencies to stop such attacks," Machnouk said.