Ahlul Bayt News Agency ; Iraqi borer guards have detained five Saudi arms dealers in the southern province of Najaf while trying to smuggle weapons, ammunition and drugs into the country.
The men were arrested in Najaf's Waksa district on Monday as they were traveling in a car, carrying drugs, explosive-laden belts and fire arms fitted with silencers, local media reported.
Iraq's Buratha news agency had earlier disclosed documents indicating Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, who heads the Saudi National Security Council, has appointed a new leader for the al-Qaeda cell operating in Iraq.
Known for his support for a number of regional terrorist groups, the prince has reportedly chosen a militant leader identified as Abu Suleiman as the new commander of al-Qaeda militants in Iraq.
Abu Suleiman holds both Saudi and Iraqi nationalities and replaces al-Qaeda leaders Abu Ayyub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi who were killed earlier by Iraqi security forces.
Reports released by officials in Baghdad show tens of Saudi nationals are being held in Iraqi prisons over charges of terrorism.
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13 September 2010 - 19:30
News ID: 203895
Iraqi borer guards have detained five Saudi arms dealers in the southern province of Najaf while trying to smuggle weapons, ammunition and drugs into the country.
