Yemen seeks extradition of Nashiri

Yemen yesterday demanded U.S. that a Yemeni citizen, who has been recently arrested by Ameri-can forces and suspected to be Al Qaida leader in the Gulf, be extradited, official sources said.

Abdul Rahman Al Nashiri, also called Mohammed Omer Al Harazi, is one of the main suspects in the attack on the USS Cole in Aden harbour two years ago, the sources said.

"Yemen's demand for extradition of Al Nashiri, who has many names including Al Mula Mohammed Omer Al Harazi and Al Safani, is for questioning him over some terrorist issues and sabotage acts, as also for the completion of Cole probe," senior security officials were quoted as saying. The officials said Al Nashiri was the main coordinator of the Cole bombing in October 2000.

Al Nashiri left Yemen for Afghanistan shortly before the Cole attack after arranging everything for the two suicide bombers who carried out the operation.

Meanwhile, a Yemeni security team left for Kuwait to study the files on Al Qaida cell detained by the Kuwaiti authorities, including Muhsen Al Fadhli.

"The purpose of the visit is to obtain information that concerns Yemen regarding finances to Al Qaida elements to carry out terrorist acts in Yemeni territories," a government–run newspaper quoted a security official as saying.