4:53 p.m.: Iraqi army: al-Qaida leader held

The Associated Press

May 08, 2008 04:55 pm

— BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman says the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq has been arrested in the northern city of Mosul.
Spokesman Mohammed al-Askari says the arrest of Abu Ayyub al-Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, was confirmed to him by the Iraqi commander of the province.
There was no immediate confirmation from U.S. forces on the arrest.
Al-Askari did not say Thursday when the al-Qaida leader was arrested. News of the arrest was also reported by Iraqi state television.