Iraqi minister believes terrorist leader has been wounded

IRAQ’S interior minister said his office believes militant leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was wounded, while an internet statement claimed that Iraq’s most feared terrorist group had appointed a deputy to fill in for the Jordanian.

The latest statements concerning al-Zarqawi follow recent rumours and claims he had been wounded, possibly by a bullet in the lung, or perhaps even had died.

Interior Minister Bayan Jabr told reporters he has information that al-Zarqawi was, indeed, wounded, but he wasn’t sure how seriously. “We are not sure whether he is dead or not, but we are sure that he is injured,” he said.

An internet statement claimed the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist group had appointed a temporary replacement for al-Zarqawi. The statement was quickly denied in another website claim that disputed Abu Hafs al-Gerni had taken over.

The authenticity of either statement could not be verified, although the second - denying any deputy had been appointed - was posted in the name of the person who usually handles the group’s announcements.

Wednesday’s first statement identified al-Gerni as “deputy of the holy warriors.”