CIA 'links Al Qaida and allies to Bhutto attack'

Washington: The CIA blames Al Qaida and allies of a Pakistani tribal leader for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, CIA Director Michael Hayden said in an interview published on Friday.

Hayden's comments to The Washington Post were the most definitive public assessment by a US intelligence official of who was responsible for the assassination of the former Pakistani prime minister and opposition leader on December 27.

The paper added that the CIA assessment mirrors that of Pakistan.

Hayden said Bhutto was killed by fighters allied with Baitullah Mehsud, a tribal leader in northwestern Pakistan, with support from Al Qaida's terrorist network, the Post reported.

He said, "This was done by that network around Baitullah Mehsud. We have no reason to question that," adding that the killing was "part of an organised campaign" that has included suicide bombings and other attacks on Pakistani leaders.