New al-Qaeda leader for Iraq
2005-05-26 10:52
Dubai - Al-Qaeda's branch in Iraq said on Thursday it has named Abu Hafs al-Qarni as "deputy chief" to the wounded Abu Musab al-Zarqawi until he recovers, according to an internet statement whose authenticity could not be confirmed.
"The leaders met after our sheikh, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, may God cure him, was wounded, and decided to name a deputy chief until the return of our sheikh. May God return him to us safe and sound," the statement said.
"They decided that our honourable Sheikh Abu Hafs al-Qarni will be deputy (chief) to the mujahedeen (Islamic warriors)," said the statement by the information section of the al-Qaeda Organisation in the Land of Two Rivers.
It announced on Tuesday that Zarqawi, Iraq's most wanted man, had been wounded.
- AFP