Posted on 03/24/2004 12:07:19 AM PST by Anti-Bubba182
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Ayman al-Zawahri gave up a medical career in Egypt to pursue a life of religious fanaticism and became the No. 2 figure in the world's most feared terror group.
Al-Zawahri is thought to have provided much of the ideology driving al-Qaida, just as Mohammed Atef provided operational leadership before being killed in late 2001. The two Egyptians became Osama bin Laden's top lieutenants when their faction of Egyptian Islamic Jihad merged with his network in 1998.
While bin Laden offered money and charisma to al-Qaida, al-Zawahri, now 52, brought cunning and experience in leading militant movements.
Often seen beside bin Laden in videos released to Arab television networks, the bespectacled former surgeon was also thought to serve as the al-Qaida leader's personal physician......"
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.