Washington: Al Qaeda`s "nerve center" lies in
Pakistan even though the recent killings of Osama bin Laden in
May and now its number two Atiyah abd al-Rahman has dealt the
global terror group severe blow, the Pentagon said on Monday.
"Al Qaeda in Pakistan clearly remains a nerve center
of the organisation, remains dangerous. They have suffered
significant losses in recent years," Pentagon spokesman,
George Little told reporters during an off-camera news
conference here.
Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula also remains a considerable
concern, Little said in response to a question.
"I think the Secretary (of Defense) has made the key
point that keeping up the intense pressure on leadership of
al Qaeda and its militant allies is very important.
"He believes that this is essential to protecting this
country. It is essential to eventually defeating and
dismantling al Qaeda," he said.
"The latest death of Atiyah abd al-Rahman, who had grown
in prominence inside al Qaeda in recent years is a significant
blow to the group," Little said.
PTI
