officials: Important al Qaeda leader captured in Pakistan

Pakistan has captured an “important” al Qaeda leader, Naamen Meziche, during an operation near the Pakistan-Iran border, officials said on Wednesday.
Pakistan has captured an “important” al Qaeda leader, Naamen Meziche, during an operation near the Pakistan-Iran border, officials said on Wednesday.

Meziche is believed to have links with militant groups based in Europe, and media reports say he may have played a role in the 9/11 attacks.

The French national of Algerian origin worked closely with another al Qaeda leader, Younis al-Mauritani, who was responsible for international operations, Pakistani officials said.

Mauritani was captured by Pakistani authorities in September last year.