Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat-According to a statement by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi , al-Qaeda”s leader in Iraq, wanted Saudi militant, Abdullah al-Roshoud has been killed. Considered one of al-Qaeda”s main leaders in the Kingdom, his name appeared on the list of 26 most wanted terrorists issued by the Saudi authorities. He is said to have been killed in recent clashes around the village of Qaim, in the al-Anbar province.

Asharq Al-Awsat spoke with interior ministry spokesmen Brigadier General Mansour al -Turki who said &#34Saudi authorities will not stop pursuing these wanted individuals until it receives evidence or information confirming their deaths.&#34 Regarding the Al-Qaeda statement announcing al-Roshoud”s death, General Al-Turki said that the ministry would not deny or confirm the report.

The statement which appeared on an Al-Qaeda related website was entitled: &#34Abu Musab al-Zarqawi announces to the Islamic nation the news of the death of Sheikh Abdullah al-Roshoud in Iraq&#34 and goes on to say: &#34We pass on our best wishes to the Islamic nation over the death of the flag of the good and the Jihad (holy struggle) and we say to the whole world that our sheikh, Abdullah al- Roshoud died a martyr.&#34

&#34He left the Arabian peninsula, fleeing from its tyranny, and went to the camp of the Jihad which has opened in Iraq. He entered Iraq a month and a half ago, crossing the border near the city of Qaim, where the war was ongoing. The brigade of which he was part fought the crusaders until they withdrew, they couldn”t enter the area but were only able to bomb it and bomb the positions of the mujahadeen with their fighter planes.&#34

If Roshoud”s death is confirmed, only two al Qaeda militants would still be at large from an the original list of 26 issued by Saudi Arabia, which has tightened border security with Iraq.