Cairo: Egyptian security officials said the man they arrested at Cairo airport on Tuesday believing him to be a senior Al Qaida leader is an Egyptian Islamist wanted in his homeland not an Al Qaida operative.

"He is wanted for involvement with the Al Jihad (group). He is not Saif Al Adel," said a source at the National Security apparatus.

Officials and state media earlier said the man was the senior Al Qaida militant Saif Al Adel.