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Middle East

Al Qaeda leader confirms death of second-in-command killed in June drone strike

Associated Press
Published | Updated
Al-Qaida

In this undated frame grab from video posted on a militant-leaning Web site, and provided by the SITE Intelligence Group, shows Abu Yahya al-Libi whose death was confirmed by al-Qaida chief Ayman Al-Zawahri in a video posted late Monday, Sept. 10, 2011. Al-Libi who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in northwest Pakistan in June was considered a media-savvy and charismatic leader with religious credentials who rose to prominence in the group after escaping from the U.S. military prison at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan in 2005. (AP Photo/SITE Intelligence Group) NO SALES. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HAS NO WAY OF INDEPENDENTLY VERIFYING THE CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS VIDEO IMAGE (AP2012)

The leader of Al Qaeda confirmed the death of the group's second-in-command, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in northwestern Pakistan in June.

In a video posted late Monday on militant websites, Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahri described his late lieutenant Abu Yahya al-Libi as a "lion of jihad and knowledge."

The killing of al-Libi, who was Libyan by birth, was the biggest setback to Al Qaeda since the death of Osama bin Laden.

Al-Zawahri also urged Libyans — al-Libi was born in the north African country — to attack Americans to avenge the late militant's death, saying his "blood is calling, urging and inciting you to fight and kill the Crusaders."

Al-Libi, whose real name was Hassan Mohammed Qaid, was considered a media-savvy and charismatic leader with religious credentials. He rose to prominence in the group after escaping from the U.S. military prison at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan in 2005.

In his eulogy, al-Zawahri also recalled how al-Libi fought in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union in the 1980s and then against the U.S. after the American-led invasion following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He also praised al-Libi's writings, saying he fought the West "with his hand, pen and tongue."