Russia claims to have killed bin Laden-linked warlord

One of the leading rebel warlords in Chechnya, a Jordanian whom the US has said is linked to Osama bin Laden, has been killed, Russia's main security service said today.

A rebel spokesman denied the claim. Federal Security Service spokesman Alexander Zdanovich said Omar Ibn al Khattab was killed in an operation by Russian forces in Chechnya.

He promised to provide documented evidence.

Chechen rebel envoy Akhmed Zakayev called Zdanovich's statement ``absolute disinformation.'' He said that Khattab was in fine health and "at his post.''

Russian officials have called Khattab one of their worst foes in breakaway Chechnya since accusing him of launching an invasion of a neighbouring Russian republic in 1999.

That invasion and apartment-house bombings around Russia prompted the military to send troops back into Chechnya that year. US officials have said Khattab and Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev are believed to have financial and other ties to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov claimed earlier this year that a video had surfaced showing bin Laden with Khattab.