Al-Zindani warns of 'foreign occupation'
Source: Agencies |
January 12, 2010, Tuesday
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YEMEN'S most influential Islamic cleric, considered an al-Qaida-linked terrorist by the United States, has warned the government against allowing "foreign occupation" of the country in the growing cooperation with the US against the terror group.
Sheik Abdul-Majid al-Zindani's comments yesterday reflected a deep mistrust among Yemenis of Washington's intentions as it ramps up counterterrorism aid and training to combat al-Qaida in the country.
Al-Zindani, a radical cleric once associated with Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, is highly influential among Yemenis and the government is careful to maintain at least his tacit support.
"We accept any cooperation in the framework of respect and joint interests, and we reject military occupation of our country. And we don't accept the return of colonialization," al-Zindani said.
"Yemen's rulers and people must be careful before a guardianship is imposed on them," he said. "The day parliament allows the occupation of Yemen, the people will rise up against it and bring it down."
US President Barack Obama said he does not plan to send American combat forces to Yemen.
US military personnel are helping train Yemeni counterterror forces and gave Yemeni forces intelligence and logistical help in heavy airstrikes last month against suspected al-Qaida hideouts that Yemen says killed dozens of militants.
The US has labeled Al-Zindani a "global terrorist," alleging he helps fund and recruit for al-Qaida and that students from Iman University - which he heads - were involved in past attacks.
But Yemen's government courts his support. The deputy prime minister last week denied al-Zindani was a member of al-Qaida.
Addressing a news conference held at his home in the capital, San'a, al-Zindani denied US accusations against him, saying "it's become well known among the people that a lot of lies come out of Washington."
He also denied any knowledge of al-Qaida's activities in Yemen. He also denied he had any influence on an American-Yemeni radical preacher Anwar al-Awlaki, who is being hunted by Yemeni forces for alleged al-Qaida links.
Al-Awlaki is a young cleric popular among extremists for his calls for jihad, or holy war, against the Americans.
Yemeni officials say he may have met Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab before the 23-year-old Nigerian allegedly tried to blow up a US airliner on Christmas Day.
Sheik Abdul-Majid al-Zindani's comments yesterday reflected a deep mistrust among Yemenis of Washington's intentions as it ramps up counterterrorism aid and training to combat al-Qaida in the country.
Al-Zindani, a radical cleric once associated with Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, is highly influential among Yemenis and the government is careful to maintain at least his tacit support.
"We accept any cooperation in the framework of respect and joint interests, and we reject military occupation of our country. And we don't accept the return of colonialization," al-Zindani said.
"Yemen's rulers and people must be careful before a guardianship is imposed on them," he said. "The day parliament allows the occupation of Yemen, the people will rise up against it and bring it down."
US President Barack Obama said he does not plan to send American combat forces to Yemen.
US military personnel are helping train Yemeni counterterror forces and gave Yemeni forces intelligence and logistical help in heavy airstrikes last month against suspected al-Qaida hideouts that Yemen says killed dozens of militants.
The US has labeled Al-Zindani a "global terrorist," alleging he helps fund and recruit for al-Qaida and that students from Iman University - which he heads - were involved in past attacks.
But Yemen's government courts his support. The deputy prime minister last week denied al-Zindani was a member of al-Qaida.
Addressing a news conference held at his home in the capital, San'a, al-Zindani denied US accusations against him, saying "it's become well known among the people that a lot of lies come out of Washington."
He also denied any knowledge of al-Qaida's activities in Yemen. He also denied he had any influence on an American-Yemeni radical preacher Anwar al-Awlaki, who is being hunted by Yemeni forces for alleged al-Qaida links.
Al-Awlaki is a young cleric popular among extremists for his calls for jihad, or holy war, against the Americans.
Yemeni officials say he may have met Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab before the 23-year-old Nigerian allegedly tried to blow up a US airliner on Christmas Day.
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