Al-Qaeda names Zarqawi successor in Iraq

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

PARIS (AFP) — Al-Qaeda in Iraq appointed a militant named Sheikh Abu Hamza al-Muhajer to succeed Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who was killed in a US air strike, in an Internet message.

"The shura (consultative) council of Al-Qaeda in the Land of Two Rivers has agreed to appoint Sheikh Abu Hamza al-Muhajer to succeed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in the leadership of the organisation," said the statement on Al-Hesba website Monday, where Al-Qaeda's official statements usually appear.

Its authenticity could not be independently verified.

The statement was signed by the media committee of the Consultative Council of the Mujahedeen (holy fighters), which is an alliance of eight militant Sunni Arab groups formed by Zarqawi last January and led by Al-Qaeda in Iraq....