| Iran admitted yesterday that it had "identified" al-Qaeda members in captivity and would extradite some of them to "friendly" countries. After repeated claims by Washington that Teheran was harbouring al-Qaeda terrorists, the government admitted that it had "several" in custody, but said it did not yet know who they were. The admission that their identities had been established is apparently a gesture to appease Washington which has become increasingly frustrated with Teheran. A number of senior al-Qa'eda members are believed to have sought shelter in Iran, either with or without the knowledge of the Teheran regime, since the Afghan war. Those whose names have repeatedly been mentioned include Saad bin Laden, the son of Osama bin Laden, and Seif Al Adel, the new military operations chief. America is convinced that an al-Qa'eda cell based in Iran was involved in the bombings in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, on May 12 in which 35 people died. An Iranian spokesman said those being held would not be extradited to America, which does not have diplomatic relations with Teheran, but said "friendly" countries might be accommodated. |