Ayman Al-Zawahri (file photo) (epa)
30 January 2006 -- A video tape purportedly showing the deputy leader of the Al-Qaeda terror organization, Ayman al-Zawahri, was aired by the Arab television station Al-Jazeera today.
On the tape, Zawahri says he survived an American air strike targeting him in eastern Pakistan on 13 January.
He called U.S. President George W. Bush a "failure," and said the air strike meant to kill him had instead hit "innocents" -- a reference to the 13 villagers who died when a pilotless drone missile destroyed a house in the village of Damadola. Four others, thought to be senior Al-Qaeda members, were also killed.
The death of the villagers led to widespread demonstrations in Pakistan.
(Reuters, AP)
Who Is Ayman al-Zawahri?
Who Is Ayman al-Zawahri?
AYMAN AL-ZAWAHRI is regarded as Al-Qaeda's No. 2 authority. Although al-Zawahri is lesser known than Osama bin Laden, some observers say the deputy is just as powerful as the chief....(more)
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