Al-qaida blamed as unknown group claims attacks

KENYAN and Israeli officials suspect al-Qaida terrorists were to blame for yesterday’s bomb atrocity in Kenya, but a previously unknown militant group issued a statement in Beirut, Lebanon, claiming responsibility.

The group describing itself as The Government of Universal Palestine in Exile, The Army of Palestine said the attacks were timed to mark the eve of the anniversary of the November 29, 1947, decision by the United Nations to partition Palestine and allow creation of a Jewish state.

Israel vowed to track down those behind the twin attacks and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon put the Mossad spy agency in charge of the investigation.