Mohammed Ibrahim Mekawy, also known
as Saif al-Adel, is widely believed to have
taken over as operational head of al-
Qaida following the death of Osama bin
Laden in May.
The suspected operational head of al-Qaida
was arrested Wednesday at Cairo
International Airport, Egyptian security
sources said.
Mohammed Ibrahim Makkawi is also known
as "Saif al-Adel," according to the FBI.
He is widely believed to have taken over as
operational head of al-Qaida following the
death of Osama bin Laden in May, as reported. Ayman al-Zawahri replaced bin
Laden as al-Qaida's leader but Makkawi is
thought to have been put in charge of the
tactical planning of attacks.
Makkawi was traveling to Egypt from
Pakistan via the United Arab Emirates,
sources said. He was detained
upon arrival and handed over to Egyptian
intelligence officials.
However, a senior U.S. official said
that it was unable to either confirm or deny
whether Makkawi was in custody.
The FBI describes al-Adel as "a high-ranking
member of the al-Qaida organization" who
is wanted in in connection with the August
7, 1998, bombings of U.S. Embassies in
Tanzania and Kenya,
that Makkawi is the alleged operational
commander of those attacks.
The State Department has offered a reward
of up to $5 million for information leading to
his arrest or conviction.
'Sword of justice'
The U.S. has listed the name Mohammed
Ibrahim Makkawi as the real name of Saif al-
Adel, a pseudonym that means "sword of
justice."
But former militants who know both men
have previously said they are two different
people and the U.S. identification is
incorrect.
Speaking to reporters at the airport,
Makkawi said he was not the senior al-Qaida
leader known as Saif al-Adel and that he had
nothing to do with the terror group since
1989.
Makkawi served as an officer in the Egyptian
military before he fled to Afghanistan in
1994, according to NBC News.
It is also reported that Makkawi was
believed to have been held in Iran since
shortly after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan
in October 2001. However, in recent months
unconfirmed reports suggested he had
been released by Iranian authorities.
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