Terror Suspect Reportedly Not in Jail
U.S. officials said Tuesday that a suspected prominent member of the Al Qaeda terrorist network was not in custody in Sudan, denying media reports that Anas Al-Liby had been captured.
Al-Liby “is not in Sudanese custody,” one official said on condition of anonymity.
A man who is in custody is “not the same person” as the one on the FBI’s most-wanted terrorist list, another official said.
The official would not reveal the identity of the detained man.
U.S. and British newspapers had reported that the man was the most senior member of Al Qaeda to be captured since the start of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan in October. The reports said the U.S. had been negotiating with Sudan to have him transferred to Egypt.
A senior Sudanese official denied reports of Al-Liby’s arrest.
“We in the government do not have any knowledge of this, and I do not think that this is correct,” presidential advisor Ghazi Salah al Din said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
