al-Qaeda leader killed-Chadian army

  • 11 years ago
EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL

The al-Qaeda member who claimed responsibility for the deadly hostage situation at a gas plant in Algeria has been killed, according to members of the Chadian army.

The general of the army made the announcement Saturday.

SOUNDBITE (French) GENERAL ZACHARIA GOBONGUE, CHADIAN ARMED FORCES SPOKESMAN, SAYING

"The provisional toll of the combat is as follows; many terrorist killed including their leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar."

Mokhtar Belmokhtar claimed responsibility for the seizure of dozens of foreign hostages at the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria in January in which more than 60 people were killed.

During the crisis, the hostage takers said their actions were in retaliation of the French-led military intervention in Mali.