Suspected key al-Qaida figure detained in Cairo

By American Security Council Foundation ASCF 

The suspected operational head of al-Qaida was arrested Wednesday at Cairo International Airport, Egyptian security sources told NBC News
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Mohammed Ibrahim Makkawi is also known as "Saif al-Adel," according to the FBI.

He is widely believed to have taken over as operational head of al-Qaida following the death of Osama bin Laden in May, NBC News reported. Ayman al-Zawahri replaced bin Laden as al-Qaida's leader and Makkawi is thought to have been put in charge of the tactical planning of attacks. Makkawi was traveling to Egypt from Pakistan via the United Arab Emirates, sources told NBC News.

He was detained upon arrival and handed over to Egyptian intelligence officials, NBC News said. However, a senior U.S. official later told NBC News that it was unable to either confirm or deny whether al-Adel was in custody.


Saif al-Adel, an Egyptian, has been indicted by the United States for an alleged role in the Aug. 7, 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya that killed 224 people. The FBI describes al-Adel as "a high-ranking member of the al-Qaida organization" and the State Department has offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

'Sword of justice' The U.S. has listed the name Mohammed Ibrahim Makkawi as the real name of Saif al-Adel, a pseudonym that means "sword of justice." But former militants who know both men have previously said they are two different people and the U.S. identification is incorrect.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, Makkawi said he was not the senior al-Qaida leader known as Saif al-Adel and that he had nothing to do with the terror group since 1989. Makkawi is believed to be aged in his 50s. "I am not the wanted Saif al-Adel," Makkawi told reporters.

"What has been said about me is lies. I never took part in actions against people or installations." "I decided to come to Egypt to live in peace and because I am certain of my innocence," he said.

Makkawi served as an officer in the Egyptian military before he fled to Afghanistan in 1994, according to NBC News. NBC News reported that Makkawi was believed to have been held in Iran since shortly after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001.

However, unconfirmed reports in recent months suggested he had been released by Iranian authorities.

Source: MSNBC

Photo: FBI --  Mohammed Ibrahim Makkawi, also known as Saif al-Adel, is widely believed to have taken over as operational head of al-Qaida following the death of Osama bin Laden in May.