Fed: Lebanese judge claims Jamal knew al-Qaeda tsar

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2004
Fed: Lebanese judge claims Jamal knew al-Qaeda tsar

A Sydney fugitive imprisoned in Beirut on terrorism charges was reportedly a contact
of the Middle East's most wanted man, al-Qaeda tsar ABU MUSAB AL-ZARQAWI.

The Australian newspaper has obtained a report which claims SALEH JAMAL, who was arrested
with four friends at Beirut airport en-route to France, had al-Qaeda connections.

The paper says eight weeks after his arrest, the report was forwarded to Australian
police and intelligence agencies following investigations by Lebanese prosecutors.

The newspaper says the report states JAMAL had connections to AL-ZARQAWI and several
other al-Qaeda operatives.

The prosecutors also claim JAMAL had planned to travel to Iraq with one of the men,
a Bosnian national.

The dossier reportedly states JAMAL, who fled Australia in February on a forged passport
issued to another man, undertook three weeks of weapons training at a Palestinian refugee
camp.

A third man, Sydney terrorism suspect BILAL KHAZAL, allegedly told JAMAL to meet up
with a former Australian-based Muslim cleric at the camp.

A spokesman for Attorney-General PHILIP RUDDOCK told the newspaper they've been taking
an active interest in the proceedings in Lebanon.

AAP RTV tam/was/psm/

KEYWORD: TERROR AUST JAMAL (SYDNEY)

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