Pakistan confronting terrorism in its own interest and security DCM Sadiq’s interviews with Television networks on Al-Libbi’s arrest

WASHINGTON, May 5 (APP)- the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Pakistan, Wednesday said terrorism was threatening our society, "and, we are confronting it not for the United States, but in our own interest and for ensuring our own security."

In a CNN interview, Mr. Mohammad Sadiq said terrorism has threatened Pakistan, and it was "important for us to purge our society of this menace."

In response to question, he said, both Pakistan and the United States have "a close cooperation" in the fight against terrorism.

Asked why arrest of al-Libbi was kept secret, the acting Ambassador said "the announcement of his arrest was delayed because an operation based on his interrogation was going on."

"And, I believe, that there was some useful information obtained from him which helped security agencies make more arrests."

Questioned as to the nationality of Abu Farraj al-Libbi, and whether he would be handed over to the U.S. Mr. Sadiq said that he was a Libyan national. He was found in Pakistan in Mardan. He said, al-Libbi was one of the most wanted terrorists. "It is too early to talk about his handing over to another country. We’ll see what happens down the line."

The acting ambassador gave several interviews to mainstream print media and televisions news channels, including BBC, ABC, NBC.

Asked about the number of detained operatives, he said some 600 al-Qaida and Taliban elements have so far been apprehended.

He told BBC that al-Libbi was "wanted in several cases of terrorism” including two attempts on the life of President General Pervez Musharraf and an attempt on life of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz"

"He was a high-value target" he stated.

His interrogation, DCM Sadiq said was expected to yield valuable information, and more arrests are likely to follow.

"It was a high value target. We had been working on it for the last two and half years."

He said al-Libbi’s arrest was not immediately made public because during these few days work on some leads was underway, which resulted in “ some arrests”.

Responding to a question by CNN, Mr. Sadiq said it was an intelligence operation and that there was intelligence-sharing between Pakistan and friendly security agencies. "But, the raid was conducted by Pakistanis" he added.

In the war on terrorism, he said, there was close cooperation between Pakistan and the United States, and the results attained were "remarkable."

To a question, he said Abu Farraj al-Libbi was arrested from Mardan, which is neither tribal area and nor a rugged region. It is a mid-sized city which has a military cantonment.

Asked could it lead to information that would result in the arrest of Osama bin Laden, he said that. "He is a high value target, but we do not know what he knows as yet." Bin Laden, he added was "an elusive target," as proved in the past.