Pakistan arrests leading al Qaeda figure and officials

CNN reports how Younis Al Mauritania, the senior al Qaeda leader tasked with “hitting targets of economic importance in the U.S., Europe and Australia”. The news agency reports that targets included gas and oil pipelines, and dams and oil tankers.

A U.S. senior counter terrorism official, speaking to CNN, said: “This is one of al Qaeda’s key operatives and getting him off the streets has been a top priority.”

He described Al Mauritania as, “been active in planning attacks, and threats associated with him were partially responsible for the Europe travel alert that was issued last year.

“His capture would deal a major blow to the terrorist group’s activities, and would be another in a string of recent wins against al Qaeda.”