Top al-Qaeda Commander Killed

Abu Laith al-Libbi was involved in terror planning and training
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 31, 2008 2:01 PM CST
Top al-Qaeda Commander Killed
In this photo released by IntelCenter, Libyan al-Qaeda commander Abu Laith al-Libi speaks during a videotaped interview on April 27, 2007. Al-Libi was killed in Afghanistan, a website used by militant groups said Thursday Jan. 31, 2008. "As the banner was posted by a webmaster, it seems as if the announcement...   (Associated Press)

A top al-Qaeda operative in Afghanistan has been killed, CNN is reporting, based on information from an Islamist web site and Western officials. Abu Laith al-Libbi, a veteran jihadist of Libyan descent, is described as the No. 3  al-Qaeda leader, "not far below the importance of the top two al-Qaeda leaders," Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.

The death was reported by a web site used by militant groups; it was confirmed by Western officials, who declined to discuss how he was killed, the BBC reports. The AP calls al-Libbi a key link between al-Qaeda and the Taliban; he was blamed by the US for a 2007 bombing that killed 23 people at a military base in Afghanistan during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney. (More terrorism stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X