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A file imagee military chief of Al-Qaida network in Yemen, identified as Qassem Al-Rimi. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has confirmed on June 16, 2015 the death of its leader Nasir Al Wuhayshi, No. 2 in Al Qaidan, in a US drone strike, and has named Al-Rimi as its new leader. Image Credit: AFP

Cairo: Al-Qaida has confirmed that Nasir Al-Wuhayshi, its No. 2 figure and leader of its powerful Yemeni affiliate, has been killed in a U.S. strike.

In a video statement released early Tuesday by the media wing of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the group confirmed his death and said his deputy, Qassim Al-Rimi, has been named its new leader.

Al-Wuhayshi was the deputy of Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri and once served as Osama bin Laden's personal secretary.