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Iraq captures 'al-Qaeda deputy' Iraq holds 'key al-Qaeda figure'
(20 minutes later)
The Iraqi authorities say they have arrested the second-in-command of al-Qaeda in Iraq. The Iraqi authorities have announced the arrest of a man they say is the second-in-command of al-Qaeda in Iraq.
The interior ministry said the man, Hamad Jama al-Faidi, was detained a few days ago. Iraq's national security adviser, Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, told a news conference the man, Hamad Jama al-Saedi, was detained a few days ago.
Iraq's national security adviser told a news conference the man was the deputy to Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the current head of the insurgent group. Mr Rubaie said the man was behind the bombing of a Shia shrine in Samara in February that drew revenge attacks.
The group's key leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed by American troops in June. American troops killed the insurgent group's the key leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in June.
He is believed to have been replaced by Abu Ayyub al-Masri.
"We announce today the arrest of the most important al-Qaeda leader after the criminal Abu Ayyub al-Masri. He's the second man in the organisation," Mr Rubaie said.
Mr al-Saedi was involved in the bombing of the al-Askari shrine in February, Mr Rubaie said.
The bombing led to a sharp rise in sectarian attacks across the country.
The al-Askari shrine, part of the Imam Ali al-Hadi mausoleum, is one of Shia Islam's holiest sites and attracts pilgrims from around the world.