Ex-officer 'to lead Saudi al-Qaeda'

Why is it unthinkable that Saudi officials could have helped Al-Qaeda kidnap Paul Johnson when a Saudi ex-policeman is going to head Al-Qaeda there? From the BBC, with thanks to Nicolei:

An ex-Saudi policeman has become leader of the al-Qaeda militant group in Saudi Arabia, according to media reports from the troubled kingdom.

Saleh al-Oufi, 38, will take over from Abdul Aziz al-Muqrin, who was killed by police on Friday.

Saudi security forces have been hunting al-Qaeda members in Riyadh, following the execution of a US hostage.

Saudi analysts say the new leader will be a formidable foe as he been a key figure in the group since 1985.

Al-Qaeda is believed to have been behind the abduction and beheading of US defence worker Paul Johnson, the latest foreign victim of a series of militant operations in the kingdom.

Correspondents say the rise of Mr Oufi will do nothing to dispel suspicions that al-Qaeda is closely linked to members of the security forces in Saudi Arabia.

That's for sure!

Posted by Robert at June 21, 2004 12:25 PM
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