Jordan says it took part in cooperation in chasing Zarqawi in Iraq

Jordanian government spokesperson Nasser Judah said in Amman Thursday that its security departments took part in the security cooperation with concerned parties in chasing the most wanted al-Qaida insurgent in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Judah made the remarks at a press conference here, but did not disclosed details about Jordan's cooperation with concerned parties.

The spokesperson told the reporters that al-Zarqawi was wanted because of his crimes he had claimed responsibility of, especially the terrorist attacks which targeted a number of hotels in Amman.

Al-Zarqawi was also wanted by a number of countries because of his crimes in Iraq and other places in addition that he is wanted in Jordan, added the Jordanian official.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced earlier Thursday that al-Zarqawi and seven of his top aides had been killed in a U. S. raid Wednesday evening on an area north of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad.

The Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi, with a 25 million U.S. bounty on his head, is believed to be the top leader of the al-Qaida terror group in Iraq. He is also accused of being behind some of the most gruesome kidnappings and killings, including beheading in Iraq.

Source: Xinhua