al-Qaeda strategist handed over to US by Pakistan

A leading al-Qaeda member, who had a $5 million bounty on his head and is wanted in Spain for possible links to the 2004 bombings, has been handed over to US agents, Pakistani intelligence officers said on Wednesday.

Ideologue and strategist Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, also known as Abu Musab al-Suri, a Syrian holding a Spanish passport, was handed over to US agents at least two months ago after being caught in Pakistan last year, they said.

"I can confirm that Abu Musab al-Suri is no more under detention in Pakistan," a senior Pakistani intelligence source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.