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CNN Live Today

Top Bin Laden Lieutenant Captured in Pakistan

Aired April 01, 2002 - 10:03   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Washington believes that one of Osama bin Laden's top lieutenants has been captured in Pakistan. The U.S. is working with Pakistan to confirm the identity. Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, joins us live now with details -- Barbara, good morning.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Daryn. Well, U.S. officials say they now believe that they have Abu Zubaydah in custody in an undisclosed location. He is a top al Qaeda operational coordinator, and one of the top associates of Osama bin Laden. If this does prove to be Abu Zubaydah, it will be extremely important, because officials say he has continued to plan terrorist attacks against the United States since September 11. For years he has been responsible for establishing al Qaeda networks around the world, training, recruiting and sending al Qaeda operatives out to plan more terrorist attacks.

The official says the U.S. is nearly 100 percent certain now that they do have Abu Zubaydah, but they are trying to make a specific identification still. He was seized in Pakistan in a raid last Thursday that was led by Pakistani agents with FBI and CIA agents also participating. The man was shot three times by the Pakistanis while he was trying to escape. He is currently undergoing medical treatment as what is called an undisclosed location.

Why is it so hard to identify this man? Well, Abu Zubaydah has had very few pictures taken of him in recent years. He is said to be a master of disguise. U.S. officials say he has changed his hair and put on some weight, they believe to disguise his appearance. So they are working to make final identification, but some very senior Bush administration officials this morning say they do believe they have him -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon -- thank you very much.

Now, we expect more today during Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's Pentagon briefing. CNN will carry that event live 1:30 Eastern this afternoon.

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