Homeland Security

DATE=11/25/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=YEMEN / ARREST (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-310242

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The government of Yemen says it has arrested a key suspect in the terrorist attack on an American warship three years ago that killed 17 Americans. Correspondent Nick Simeone tells us the F-B-I is in the process of verifying the identity of a man described by Yemen as a top leader of al-Qaida.

TEXT: The Yemeni government has announced Saudi-born Mohammed al-Ahdal was arrested Tuesday after security forces surrounded his hideout in the capital, Sanaa.

For three years, Yemeni as well as U-S authorities have sought his arrest in connection with the October, 2000 terrorist bombing of the U-S-S Cole. Seventeen American sailors were killed when a bomb blew a hole in the side of the Navy destroyer as it was docked for refueling in Aden harbor. The suspect is also wanted in connection with an explosion aboard a French oil tanker off the Yemeni coast last year that left one person dead.

Yemen's interior ministry describes Mohammed al-Ahdal as a senior leader of al-Qaida in the country. A U-S official who asked not to be identified says the U-S government is aware of his arrest but would not comment on details including when the suspect might be extradited to the United States to stand trial. (SIGNED)

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