Two years following the September 11 attacks, American officials believe they have identified a young former bodyguard of Osama bin Laden as the al-Qaeda network's new head of "terror operations" in the Persian Gulf.
Abu Hazim al-Sha'ir, aged 29, a Yemeni national, now believed to be living in the Saudi Kingdom, is one of a new bunch of al-Qaeda activists who are trying to fill the positions of top bin Laden lieutenants who have been captured or killed since September 11, 2001, according to U.S. officials.
"Capable replacements appear to be emerging, many of whom have demonstrated their ability to see previously planned operations through to fruition," according to one U.S. intelligence report, cited by AP.
Abu Hazim is just one of the top al-Qaeda leaders still at large, according to officials from U.S. counterterrorism agencies. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
