Osama bin Laden
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| When Osama bin Laden made a rare videotaped television appearance Sunday to condemn the U.S. strikes in Afghanistan, he provided the world a glimpse at his normally guarded al-Qaeda inner circle. Some of Mr. bin Laden’s close associates flanked him during his first public address since the Sept. 11 attacks. | |||
| Sulaiman
Abu Ghaith / al-Qaeda spokesman • BACKGROUND: He is described as an emerging leader within al-Qaeda, but little is known about his past. • AL-QAEDA DUTIES: As al-Qaeda's PR man, he delivered the opening address in the group's televised statement. • ROLE IN TERRORISM: It is unclear what involvement he might have had in the Sept. 11 attacks and previous incidents. • RESPONSE TO U.S. STRIKES: "What happened in the U.S. is a natural reaction to the ignorant policy of the United States." |
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| Ayman
al-Zawahiri / Second-in-command of al-Qaeda • BACKGROUND: A 50-year-old surgeon, he is founder of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad. He met Mr. bin Laden in the late 1980s, while both men helped Afghanistan's guerrillas fight the invading Soviet army. He is regarded as Mr. bin Laden's mentor. • AL-QAEDA DUTIES: He merged his jihad group with al-Qaeda about three years ago. He is considered Mr. bin Ladn's second-in-command and top organizational commander. • ROLE IN TERRORISM: He had reportedly met with some of the hijackers, including Mohamed Atta. He was accused in connection with the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. In addition, investigators believe his jihad group was behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed six, and the 1981 assassination of Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat. • RESPONSE TO U.S. STRIKES: "Your government today is leading you into a losing war, where you will lose your sons and your money." |
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| Muhammad
Atef / al-Qaeda's military commander • BACKGROUND: He is a former Egyptian police officer in his 40s. His ties to Mr. bin Laden go back at least two decades. He helped Mr. bin Laden recruit soldiers to aid Afghanistan's guerrillas in the war against Russia. Mr. Atef helped Mr. bin Laden form al-Qaeda in 1989. This year, his daughter married Mr. bin Laden's eldest son. • AL-QAEDA DUTIES: As head of military command, he oversees recruiting and training al-Qaeda members, and also helps organize attacks. • ROLE IN TERRORISM: U.S. officials believe he was involved in planning the Sept. 11 attacks, the most direct link to date between Mr. bin Laden and the deadly hijackings. The U.S. has indicted him in connection with the 1998 embassy bombings. • RESPONSE TO U.S. STRIKES: He did not speak during the televised statement. |
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SOURCES:
Dallas Morning News research, Associated Press, CNN
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