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Top al-Qaeda leader reported dead Top al-Qaeda leader reported dead
(30 minutes later)
A senior al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan, Abu Laith al-Libi, has been killed, senior Western counter-terrorism officials say. A senior al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan, Abu Laith al-Libi, has been killed, Western counter-terrorism officials have told the BBC.
News of Libi's death first emerged on a website used by Islamist groups. News of his death emerged on a website used by Islamist groups. Ekhlaas.org said he had "fallen as a martyr".
The website, ekhlaas.org, said Libi had "fallen as a martyr", the Reuters news agency reports. The Western officials have refused to reveal how he was killed.
US intelligence agencies have been investigating reports that a top al-Qaeda figure was killed in the Afghan-Pakistan border area this week.US intelligence agencies have been investigating reports that a top al-Qaeda figure was killed in the Afghan-Pakistan border area this week.
A missile attack in Pakistan's North Waziristan area reportedly killed 12 or 13 militants.A missile attack in Pakistan's North Waziristan area reportedly killed 12 or 13 militants.
While Western counter-terrorism officials told the BBC they believed Libi to be dead, they would not discuss how he was killed. A Pakistani daily paper, the News, reported that the suspected US strike was aimed at Libi and another senior figure, Obaidah al-Masri.
Libi has appeared in a number of al-Qaeda videos. He is reported to be one of al-Qaeda's most senior field commanders in Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda spokesman
Libi has appeared in a number of al-Qaeda videos. In November he appeared alongside al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri.
ABU LAITH AL-LIBI Born: Libya, around 1941Description: 6'4" tall, solid build, dark hair and eyes, scars on backRole: Senior operations commander; al-Qaeda spokesman Source: Globalsecurity.org
He has acted as a spokesman for the group, announcing in 2002 that Osama Bin Laden and Taleban leader Mullah Omar had survived the US invasion of Afghanistan.
"This individual is in the top half-dozen figures in al-Qaeda... who has a long record of military activity on behalf of al-Qaeda," an unnamed Western official told Reuters news agency.
He is reported to be one of al-Qaeda's most senior field commanders in Afghanistan.
Reports say he was also active across the border in the Waziristan region of Pakistan.Reports say he was also active across the border in the Waziristan region of Pakistan.
'Drone spotted''Drone spotted'
Local officials in Pakistan said on Tuesday that 12 militants had been killed in a missile strike from "an unknown direction".Local officials in Pakistan said on Tuesday that 12 militants had been killed in a missile strike from "an unknown direction".
Residents reported having seen a drone aircraft in the region before the attack.Residents reported having seen a drone aircraft in the region before the attack.
On Thursday, Pakistani intelligence officials said 13 people had died - seven Arabs and six Central Asians.On Thursday, Pakistani intelligence officials said 13 people had died - seven Arabs and six Central Asians.
One told Reuters: "The missile appeared to have been fired by a drone."One told Reuters: "The missile appeared to have been fired by a drone."
Correspondents say the US has launched a number of strikes at suspected militants in Pakistan - some of them missiles fired by drones.Correspondents say the US has launched a number of strikes at suspected militants in Pakistan - some of them missiles fired by drones.
Pakistan has repeatedly insisted that it will not accept foreign military action on its territory.Pakistan has repeatedly insisted that it will not accept foreign military action on its territory.