Radical Jordanian preacher rebukes extremist group in Syria, says it's not following al-Qaida
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A radical preacher deported from Britain who faces terrorism charges in his native Jordan has criticized one of the main extremist groups in Syria, saying it was "ignoring instructions" from al-Qaida leader Ayman Al-Zawahri.
The 53-year-old known as Abu Qatada spoke to reporters during a break in his trial before Jordan's military court.
He said the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant will "disintegrate eventually" and that its fighters were "misled to fight a war that is not holy."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The group has clashed repeatedly with other rebels since it aggressively pushed into Syria from neighboring Iraq last spring.
Abu Qatada did not refer to another al-Qaida-allied group in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra.
Thursday's hearing, the fourth since the preacher was extradited from Britain last July, was adjourned until Feb. 13.