At least seven Islamist Abu Sayyaf rebels were killed late Saturday in a clash with government troops in the southern Philippines, a navy commander said. Commodore Geronimo Defensor said the clash erupted when pursuing marines caught up with the guerrillas near the seashore of Balimbing island in Tawi-Tawi province, 1,050 kilometres south of Manila.
Defensor said among those killed was Abu Sayyaf commander Jundam Jamalul, alias Black Killer, who has a 40,000-dollar bounty on his head offered by the United States government for his involvement in the kidnapping of western tourists in Malaysia's Sipadan island in 2000.
"There was initial tracking of the bandits on Friday night in nearby Capual island," he said. "Our troops finally caught up with them in Balimbing." Defensor said the government troops did not suffer any casualties during the clash. The troops also recovered firearms and the twin-engine motor boat used by the rebels.
The military have launched an offensive against the al-Qaeda- linked Islamist Abu Sayyaf rebels since August last year on the nearby island of Jolo. Abu Sayyaf is the smallest but most violent Islamist rebel group in the southern Philippines. The rebels were blamed for deadly terror attacks in the country.
AP staffer found shot in the head in Iraq
Jan. 5, 2007
The body of an Associated Press employee was found shot in the back of the head Friday, six days after he was last seen by his family leaving for work.
Ahmed Hadi Naji, 28, was the fourth AP staffer to die violently in the Iraq war and the second AP employee killed in less than a month. He had been a messenger and occasional cameraman for the AP for 2 1/2 years.
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http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467670422&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
London plot suspect says he's innocent
Fri Jan 5, 2007
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A British Muslim suspected in an alleged plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jetliners flying from Britain last summer reiterated his innocence Friday after a judge extended his detention for two more weeks.
"I am innocent," Rashid Rauf told reporters in Rawalpindi, a garrison city near capital of Islamabad. "I ask Pakistan government to do me justice," said the thin, bearded man wearing a traditional Pakistani loose robe and a prayer cap.
Rauf, who also has a Pakistani passport, was arrested by Pakistani intelligence agents in August on a tip from their British counterparts. At the time, Pakistan identified him as a key suspect in the alleged terror plot, sparking a security alert in Britain that saw mass cancellations of flights to and from Heathrow Airport for several days in August and increased restrictions on carry-on items.
However, a Pakistani anti-terrorism court dropped terrorism charges against Rauf on Dec. 13 and held him accountable only for possessing bomb-making materials and living in Pakistan without valid documents. Later, a higher court — acting on an appeal by Pakistani authorities — suspended the anti-terrorism court's ruling until Jan. 15.
On Friday, Rauf was brought before a judge who extended his detention until Jan. 19. His lawyer, Hashmat Habib, said his client had been implicated in a false case, and that he would prove his innocence. He said no date has been set by the court for the start of the trial. Rauf arrived in Pakistan soon after his uncle was stabbed to death in 2002. Pakistan has said British authorities had asked Pakistan to extradite Rauf in connection with a murder inquiry. Pakistan and Britain do not have an extradition treaty, and Pakistani officials have said that no decision has been made on the extradition request.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070105/ap_on_re_eu/pakistan_british_suspect_1
Substitute Friday prayers leader of Tehran mullah Ahmad Khatami said here that the US was humiliated in Iran's nuclear case. "The US was humiliated in Iran's peaceful nuclear case as the world people observed it," said Khatami, who is also an all-mullah 'Experts Assembly' member, in his first Friday prayers sermon to group of bassijis in Tehran University campus on Friday.
Mullah said Americans suffered disgrace and humiliating defeat in Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq too. He then quoted a westerner as point to west's intention to humiliate Iran in its nuclear case and said, "Iran can not be humiliated." "One of the westerners had said that in nuclear energy issue we want to humiliate Iran, while Iran can't be downgraded and it is and will always remain dear; this means Americans' lack of wisdom."
http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_20004.shtml
Hamas to Abbas: Reject US money
Jan. 5, 2007
Palestinian legislator and Hamas supporter Mushir al-Musri called upon Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Friday to refuse to receive funds from the USA. The accusation follows a report that the Bush Administration intends to transfer $86.4 million to the security branches of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
Al-Masri accused Washington of assisting the 'revolution' against the Hamas government. "We demand that Chairman Abbas reject this American policy which only increases the rift in the Palestinian nation," al-Masri said.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467668129&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
GSPC in a message: We are awaiting Ben Laden’s instructions (Algeria)
January 6, 2007
Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) has refused to give up armed fighting as it was called for by President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in his speech before Nation’s executives on December 26. The GSPC invited Home Minister to tell the “truth” about security situation in Algeria.
The Salafist Group is awaiting Ben Laden’s “instructions” for the coming stage, it adds. Abdelmalek Droukdal alias Abu Musaab Abdelouadoud, Chief of the GSPC, released via internet a long message dated December 3, in which he rejects the President’s call, saying the Salafist Group “is determined to carry on its path”. Headed “Word”, the message explained that GSPC which came out of the GIA (Islamic Armed Group) in the Fall 1998 got no foreign support. Yet, it is mentioned that the group had obtained lately quantities of arms and ammunition.
The Salafist Group has unprecedently admitted it was assisted by foreign persons to carry out terrorist attacks, “young men are getting up and are keen to bear arms from inside the country and from abroad as well”, said Droukdal who made a call foreigners as well as Algerians to join his rows.
El Khabar had previously published stories on Tunisians, Libyans, Moroccans and some people from African Sahel who have been fighting –until now- under the banner of the GSPC. El Khabar also mentioned some Algerian young men joined the group lately. Abdelouadoud invited Interior Minister, Yazid Zerhouni, to “disclose the real figure about the young men who have joined Jihad ground in the last months”. It is wrong to speak of “residual terrorists”, adds the message mentioning latest terrorist attacks.
The message also addressed to what it called “our dearest Abi Abdallah Usama Ben Laden”, renewing allegiance to him, and qualifying GSPC’s members of Ben Laden’s soldiers. The United States and NATO are supporting, logistically and financially, African Sahel countries “to fight us”, he explains adding “evil axis” has started to move after we announced allegiance to al-Qaeda in mid-September. “We are awaiting your instructions and recommendations for next stage”, Abu Musab Abdelouadoud affirmed addressing Ben Laden.