FBI issues alert seeking Saudi linked to al Qaeda

11.45am

WASHINGTON - Acting on information from the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the FBI today issued an alert for a Saudi-born man who it said may be part of a new al Qaeda plot against the United States.

The FBI issued a "be on the lookout" alert for Adnan G El Shukrijumah, 27, who was born in Saudi Arabia, saying they want to find and question him.

Information from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the detained mastermind of the September 11 hijacked-airline attacks on New York and Washington, led US law enforcement to focus on El Shukrijumah, an FBI official said.

El Shukrijumah is a trained pilot who is believed to be "an integral part" of a new al Qaeda plot against US interests, the official said. He could not provide details of what the plot involved.

El Shukrijumah carries a Guyana passport but the FBI said he may also try to enter the United States with a Saudi, Canadian or Trinidadian passport as well.

"El Shukrijumah is possibly involved with al Qaeda terrorist activities and, if true, poses a serious threat to US citizens and interests worldwide," the FBI alert said .

The law enforcement bureau said El Shukrijumah's current whereabouts were unknown.

The FBI is pursuing a number of leads obtained since Mohammed was arrested in Pakistan on March 1. Mohammed is being interrogated by US officials outside the United States.

- REUTERS