WASHINGTON, May 4 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush on Wednesday said that Pakistan's capture of an al Qaida's top operative was a major victory in the war on terrorism.

    "Today's report of the capture of a top al-Qaida operative, Abu Faraj al-Libbi, represents a critical victory in the war on terror," Bush said in speech in Washington.

    "Al-Libbi was a top general for (Osama) bin laden, he was a major facilitator and chief planner for the al-Qaida network. His arrest removes a dangerous enemy who is a direct threat to America and to those who love freedom," he said.

    Pakistani and US officials have said al-Libbi, a Libyan national, was a close associate of bin Laden and ranked third in the current al Qaida current hierarchy. He was arrested on Monday and was believed behind two attempts to assassinate Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

    In his speech, Bush applauded the Pakistani government for "their strong cooperation in the war on terror."

    "The fight continues. We'll stay on the offensive until al Qaida is defeated," he said.

    Earlier Wednesday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said al-Libbi's arrest was "a great success in the global war on terror" and the most significant arrest of an al Qaida leader since Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was captured in March 2002. Enditem