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Iraq holds 'key al-Qaeda figure' Iraq holds 'key al-Qaeda figure'
(10 minutes later)
The Iraqi authorities have announced the arrest of a man they say is 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.
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, Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, told a news conference the man, Hamad Jama al-Saedi, was detained a few days ago.
Mr Rubaie said the man was behind the bombing of a Shia shrine in Samara in February that drew revenge attacks. Mr Rubaie said the man was behind the bombing of a Shia shrine in Samarra in February that drew revenge attacks.
American troops killed the insurgent group's key leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in June.American troops killed the insurgent group's key leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in June.
"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, adding that al-Qaeda in Iraq had been "severely wounded""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, adding that al-Qaeda in Iraq had been "severely wounded"
Mr al-Saedi was hiding in a building used by families, Mr Rubaie said. Mr Saedi was hiding in a building used by families, Mr Rubaie said.
"He wanted to use children and women as human shields as our forces attempted to capture him.""He wanted to use children and women as human shields as our forces attempted to capture him."
Mr al-Saedi was involved in the bombing of the al-Askari shrine in February, Mr Rubaie said. Mr 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 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.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.