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Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Mideast-trained militant declines to lead Abu Sayyaf (4:03 p.m.)
MANILA -- A Filipino militant trained in the Middle East has declined to lead the brutal Abu Sayyaf group, prolonging a leadership crisis among the al-Qaida-linked militants, according to a confidential police report.
The Abu Sayyaf - listed by Washington as a terrorist organization for carrying out bombings, kidnappings and beheadings - has been hobbled by a leadership vacuum since its chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani died in a clash with government troops in September 2006.
Army officials have said that little-known militant Yasser Igasan had become a top candidate, despite his limited combat experience, because of his connections with potential Middle Eastern financiers.
A confidential police report on terrorist threats, seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday, said that Igasan "has declined the emirship" of the Abu Sayyaf last year and that the group "continues to operate without a central leadership."
The report did not cite any reason for Yasser's refusal. (AP) |
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