Iran had detained Suleiman Abu Ghaith, a Kuwaiti-born man, who was known to be al-Qaeda spokesman, the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported Friday in its headline story. The newspaper said its information came from "reliable" Iranian and Kuwaiti sources.
Iranian Vice President Muhammad Ali Abtahi, however, said he had no information that Abu Ghaith was in Iranian custody.
On his part, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said “I categorically reject that Asharq al-Awsat report that Suleiman Abu Ghaith is in our custody.” Asefi noted that Iran still had not identified its al-Qaeda detainees.
Following the 11 September attacks on the US, Kuwait has stripped Abu Ghaith of his citizenship, citing "national interest". Kuwait has said that Afghanistan's former Taleban regime gave Abu Ghaith, a 38-year-old father of six, Afghan citizenship. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
