Pakistani security forces have captured a Libyan lieutenant of Osama bin Laden suspected of masterminding two attempts to assassinate President Pervez Musharraf, officials announced Wednesday.
Pakistani Information Minister Sheik Rashid Ahmed said Abu Farraj al-Libbi was the most significant al-Qaida figure arrested in Pakistan since alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed was captured in 2003.
Some Pakistani and U.S. security officials have said they think that al-Libbi was al-Qaida's operations chief, a position once held by Mohammed. If true, he may have valuable information on pending al-Qaida plots.
Pakistani intelligence sources have also said they believe the Libyan has been in direct contact with bin Laden and his Egyptian deputy Ayman al-Zawahri. |