Pakistan rejects claims Al-Qaeda strengthening on its soil

Pakistan rejects claims Al-Qaeda strengthening on its soil

Fri Jan 12, 10:40 AM ET


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070112/ts_afp/uspakistanafghanistanqaeda_070112153727

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistan has rejected claims that the Al-Qaeda terror network is strengthening and building worldwide connections from safe havens in the South Asian country.

Top US spy John Negroponte told the US Senate on Thursday that Pakistan contained crucial sanctuaries for Al-Qaeda, the "terrorist organization that poses the greatest threat" to the United States.

"We have captured or killed numerous senior Al-Qaeda operatives, but Al-Qaeda's core elements are resilient," said Negroponte, the director of national intelligence (DNI).

The terrorists are "cultivating stronger operational connections and relationships that radiate outward from their leaders' secure hideout in Pakistan to affiliates throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Europe," he said.

Pakistan's foreign ministry described the comments as "questionable criticism" and urged Negroponte to acknowledge the country's role in breaking the back of Al-Qaeda, responsible for the September 11 attacks in 2001.