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CNN Live Saturday

U.S. Marines Hold Man Who Ran Terror Camps in Afghanistan

Aired January 05, 2002 - 17:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. Marines are holding the man that the U.S. believes ran Osama bin Laden's terror camps inside Afghanistan. And CNN's Bill Hemmer has more from Kandahar on the background of this detainee.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): He is accused of running the terrorist camps here in Afghanistan, and right now he is in U.S. custody, held at a detention facility here in Kandahar. His name is Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, from Lybia. Back in mid-September, the White House had his assets frozen. The White House also indicates he is one of 12 members of al Qaeda wanted the most here in Afghanistan. And certainly, intelligence sources will now be pumping him for any information they can gather regarding the al Qaeda network, not only here but around the world.

Also, sources inside the detention facility tell CNN that right now, al-Libi is being held by himself, separated from the other detainees. They say they want him to have no contact with the others being held here in Kandahar.

On the Mullah Muhammed Omar front, again, another day and another rumor. The latest report we have is that Omar may have split the net in northern Helmand province, near the town of Baghran. But again, we should caution you, every day this week the reports and the rumors have varied from day to day. What's clear at this point, though, is that the U.S. right now does not have Omar in custody.

Bill Hemmer, CNN, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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