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France says al Qaeda chief Abou Zeid "probably" killed
Source: Reuters
France says al Qaeda chief Abou Zeid "probably" killed
By Leigh Thomas and Adama Diarra
PARIS/BAMAKO | Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:01am EST
(Reuters) - One of al Qaeda's senior field commanders in the Sahara, Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, has probably been killed in Mali, the head of France's joint chiefs of staff said on Monday.
Edouard Guillaud's remarks were the first indication from the French government that Abou Zeid, regarded as one of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's (AQIM) most ruthless operators, died in fighting in the rugged north of Mali.
"It is probable, but only probable. We don't have any certainty for the moment," Guillaud told Europe 1 radio, when asked about Abou Zeid's death. "It would be good news."
Guillaud said the death of the smuggler turned jihadi, who has earned tens of millions of dollars for AQIM with a spate of kidnapping in the Sahara in recent years, could not be confirmed because his body had not been recovered.
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By Leigh Thomas and Adama Diarra
PARIS/BAMAKO | Mon Mar 4, 2013 8:01am EST
(Reuters) - One of al Qaeda's senior field commanders in the Sahara, Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, has probably been killed in Mali, the head of France's joint chiefs of staff said on Monday.
Edouard Guillaud's remarks were the first indication from the French government that Abou Zeid, regarded as one of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's (AQIM) most ruthless operators, died in fighting in the rugged north of Mali.
"It is probable, but only probable. We don't have any certainty for the moment," Guillaud told Europe 1 radio, when asked about Abou Zeid's death. "It would be good news."
Guillaud said the death of the smuggler turned jihadi, who has earned tens of millions of dollars for AQIM with a spate of kidnapping in the Sahara in recent years, could not be confirmed because his body had not been recovered.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/04/us-mali-rebels-france-idUSBRE92305D20130304
