BEIRUT, Sept. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- An alleged top operative of al-Qaida in Lebanon arrested 10 days ago died of a heart attack on Monday, the Interior Ministry said.

    Ismail Mohammed al-Khatib was rushed from a detention center to the Bahanes Hospital, 30 km northeast of Beirut, after suffering a heart attack, but doctors failed to save his life, the ministry said.

    Khatib was among 12 suspects arrested on Sept. 17 after security forces foiled a plan to bomb the embassies of Italy and Ukraine in Beirut.

    Lebanese authorities said Khatib was one of two ringleaders involved in the plot. The other one was Ahmed Salim Mikati.Interior Minister Elias Murr has said Khatib's role was to recruit militants to fight US forces in Iraq. Enditem