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Al-Qaeda claims US jet bomb plot Al-Qaeda group claims bomb plot
(20 minutes later)
Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the failed attempt to bomb a transatlantic flight on Christmas Day, according to an internet statement. An al-Qaeda regional offshoot says it was behind the failed attempt to bomb a US transatlantic flight last Friday, according to an internet statement.
A US monitoring organisation quoted the group as saying the plot was to avenge US attacks on the militants in Yemen. A US monitoring organisation quoted al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula as saying the plot was to avenge US attacks on militants in Yemen.
A Nigerian man has been charged with attempting to set off an explosive device on Friday on a Northwest Airlines Amsterdam-Detroit flight. A Nigerian man has been charged with attempting to set off an explosive device on a Amsterdam-Detroit flight.
US President Barack Obama is due to make a statement soon about the plot. It landed safely after the suspect was overpowered by passengers and crew.
The accused, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, had co-ordinated the plot with members of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, said the statement, according to US monitor SITE Intelligence. The accused, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, had co-ordinated the plot with members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, said the statement, according to US monitor SITE Intelligence.
Officials said at the weekend that the 23-year-old had told US investigators al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen had supplied him with the bomb and trained him in how to detonate it.Officials said at the weekend that the 23-year-old had told US investigators al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen had supplied him with the bomb and trained him in how to detonate it.
Yemeni forces, aided by US intelligence, carried out two airstrikes against al-Qaeda in the country this month, the second of which came on the eve of the attempted plane bombing.Yemeni forces, aided by US intelligence, carried out two airstrikes against al-Qaeda in the country this month, the second of which came on the eve of the attempted plane bombing.
Dozens of militants are reported to have died in the attacks.Dozens of militants are reported to have died in the attacks.
In its internet statement, quoted by Reuters news agency, al-Qaeda said: "We call on all Muslims... to throw out all unbelievers from the Arabian Peninsula by killing crusaders who work in embassies or elsewhere... [in] a total war on all crusaders in the Peninsula of [Prophet] Muhammad."In its internet statement, quoted by Reuters news agency, al-Qaeda said: "We call on all Muslims... to throw out all unbelievers from the Arabian Peninsula by killing crusaders who work in embassies or elsewhere... [in] a total war on all crusaders in the Peninsula of [Prophet] Muhammad."
According to prosecutors, Mr Abdulmutallab tried to bring down the Northwest Airlines Airbus A330 using a device containing PETN, a high explosive.According to prosecutors, Mr Abdulmutallab tried to bring down the Northwest Airlines Airbus A330 using a device containing PETN, a high explosive.
The explosives were allegedly sewn in to the would-be bomber's underwear and officials believe tragedy was averted only because the makeshift detonator failed, before other passengers pounced on him.The explosives were allegedly sewn in to the would-be bomber's underwear and officials believe tragedy was averted only because the makeshift detonator failed, before other passengers pounced on him.