The Interior Minister of Iraq, Falah al-Naqib stated today that he refused to comment on the rumors of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the terrorist leader,
capture earlier this month. The Minister stated that perhaps he will make a comment in a few days, neither clarifying or dispelling the rumors.
Rumors of Al-Zarqawi capture and perhaps mistaken release has been circulating in Iraq and even on the web.
ap.tbo.com
"I wouldn't like to comment for the time being," Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib said when asked about rumors that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had been
arrested. "Let's see. Maybe in the next few days we will make a comment about it."
Pressing him, a reporter asked, "Does that mean he is in custody?"
"No comment," the minister repeated, although he said that arrest warrants had been issued for al-Zarqawi and several officials from Saddam
Hussein's regime, including Saddam deputy Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri and the ousted leader's half brother, Sabaawi al-Hassan.
The rumors followed an interview aired on an Arab television station earlier this month in which a Saudi man arrested for a deadly truck bombing
claimed that he heard from other insurgents that al-Zarqawi had been arrested by Iraqi police in Fallujah but released because authorities didn't
recognize him.
Rumors spread that Iraqi authorities had al-Zarqawi in custody but were waiting to announce it just before the Jan. 30 elections.
Al-Zarqawi, the leader of Iraq's al-Qaida affiliate, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces, along with the
kidnappings and the beheadings of several foreigners, including Americans.
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It seems a little odd, that this story is in the news again, earlier this month when rumor circulated about Al-Zarqawi's capture, there was no
denial or confirmation, yet just recently the elusive Al-Zarqawi allegedly released another tape to incite his followers. The timing and unclarity of
the minister's words is very suspect and it seems some sort of physcological operation may be under way as we get closer to the Iraqi elections.
Related ATSNN Articles:
TERRORISM: Unconfirmed report of Zarqawi capture
[edit on 1-22-2005 by worldwatcher]