Spain: Suspected al-Qaida financier arrested

Spanish police have arrested a Syrian-born man suspected of financing operations conducted by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network in various countries, including the US.

Police said the man allegedly provided funds to associates of Mohammed Atta, the suspected ringleader of the September 11 hijack gang.

They said the suspect, who was arrested in Madrid this morning, allegedly used the construction and promotion of homes as cover to finance al-Qaida operations.