The Associated Press is reporting that a man who lived in the United States for more than 15 years is now chief of al-Qaida's global operations.
AP says a Federal Bureau of Investigation counterterrorism agent told the newswire in an exclusive interview that 35-year- old Adnan Shukrijumah rose to the position following the 2003 capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the planners of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Agent Brian LeBlanc says Shukrijumah is believed to be in regular contact with Osama bin Laden and other top al-Qaida leaders.
He says Shukrijumah was named this year as a conspirator in the case against three men accused of plotting attacks on New York City's subway system in 2009. He is also suspected of playing a role in plotting potential attacks in Norway and Britain.
Shukrijumah is thought to be the only al-Qaida leader to have once held permanent U.S. resident status. He was labeled a "clear and present danger" by the U.S. Attorney General in 2004.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
