US will hunt Zarqawi successor
2006-06-13 08:39
Camp David - US President George W Bush said on Monday that the successor to slain al-Qaeda chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is going to be a US target.
"The successor to Zarqawi is going to be on our list to bring to justice," Bush told reporters after the first of two days of high-level talks with top US diplomatic and military aides to map the way forward in Iraq.
This came after al-Qaeda in Iraq appointed a militant named Sheikh Abu Hamza al-Muhajer to succeed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, according to an internet message posted on Monday.
"The shura (consultative) council and al-Qaeda in the Land of Two Rivers have both agreed to appoint Sheikh Abu Hamza al-Muhajer to succeed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in the leadership of the organisation," said the statement on al-Hesba website, where al-Qaeda's official statements usually appear.
Its authenticity could not be verified independently.
- AFP