Muslim cleric suspects al-Qaeda

2002-12-01 14:31

London - A radical Muslim cleric said on Saturday he believed al-Qaeda was partly responsible this week's simultaneous terror attacks on an Israeli-owned airliner and resort hotel in Kenya.

Abu Hamza al-Masri, suspected by Washington of having links to al-Qaeda, said the scattering of the terrorist network after the war in Afghanistan meant that its members were becoming more active in regional disputes.

Al-Masri, who leads prayers at London's Finsbury Park mosque, said that the war against terrorism led by US President George W Bush had increased the likelihood of attacks.

"You are going to see this repeated all the time. With so many members of al-Qaida all over the place," al-Masri said.

"By forcing al-Qaeda to scatter around the world, Mr Bush has made a mistake. He has given the inspiration for a global jihad."

Al-Masri also said the media and the United Nations were to blame for "global pressure against Islam."

Al-Masri's funds were frozen by the US treasury for his alleged membership in the Islamic Army of Aden. The organization is linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network and claimed responsibility for the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen in October 2000, during which 17 American sailors were killed.

The cleric has held British citizenship since 1985, which protects him from extradition to Yemen, where he is wanted in connection with several bombings.

Warned

Another London-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, was quoted as saying that Islamic groups sympathetic to al-Qaeda were warned of an attack on Kenya last week in e-mails and in Internet chat rooms.

"They said in chat rooms that there would be something good in East Africa," Muhammad, leader of the Al-Muhajiroun group, was quoted as saying in The Mirror newspaper.

"These militant groups warned a week ago that there would be an attack on Kenya. They even mentioned Israelis."

Two shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles were launched against an Israeli charter jet leaving Mombasa airport on Thursday, narrowly missing the Arika Airlines Boeing 757 with 261 passengers and 10 crew members. It landed safely in Tel Aviv, Israel, with no casualties.

A few minutes later, a vehicle packed with explosives broke through the gate at the oceanside Paradise Hotel. One attacker ran into the lobby and blew himself up, while two others exploded the vehicle. The bombs killed 10 Kenyans, three Israelis and the three bombers.

Security officials Saturday were questioning 10 foreigners - six Pakistani men and four Somali men. - Sapa-AP

- SAPA