Al Qaida leader Al Masri 'dead'

Washington: Al Qaida leader Obaidah Al Masri has died, according to unnamed US officials.

According to reports, Al Masri died of hepatitis in Pakistan.

Al Masri is linked to the 2005 London subway and bus bombings as well as a foiled attempt in 2006 to blow up commercial airliners.

Al Masri had been reported killed in a 2006 missile strike in Pakistan, and later that year escaped another missile strike in a different Pakistani village.