Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    

Iraq's National Security Adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie shows a video grab of al-Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Ayyub al-Masri during a news conference in Baghdad October 1, 2006. Iraqi security forces are getting closer to al-Masri and will get him soon, al-Rubaie said on Sunday.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

BAGHDAD, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) - The Iraqi government said on Sunday that its security forces are close to capture or killing of the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq Abu Ayyub al-Masri.

    "I can say we are very close to Abu Ayyub al-Masri and we say to him your days are numbered," said Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubaie.

    "My message to Iraqis in Ramadan is that it is so close, we will bring you the good news of Abu Ayyub al-Masri either killed or handcuffed to be brought before the Iraqi justice system," al-Rubaie told the news conference, in which a video tape of al-Masriteaching followers how to build a car bomb was shown.

    The video tape showed al-Masri in a white T-shirt was talking to the camera as he explained how to compose a car bomb.

    Rubaie said that the video was found in Youssifiyah, some 20 km south of Baghdad. Enditem