Bush praises Pakistan on terror arrest

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President Bush yesterday hailed the arrest of al Qaeda's third-ranking leader by Pakistani authorities as a major blow in the war against terrorism that will make the United States safer.

"The capture of a top al Qaeda operative, Abu Farraj al-Libbi, represents a critical victory in the war on terror," Mr. Bush told an economic conference in Washington. "Al-Libbi was a top general for [Osama] bin Laden.

"His arrest removes a dangerous enemy who was a direct threat to America and for those who love freedom," the president added.

Al-Libbi, who had a $10 million bounty on his head, was arrested Monday after a fierce gunfight near Mardan, Pakistan. Authorities found his hide-out after receiving a tip that foreigners had been seen in the vicinity.

Al-Libbi was outranked only by bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri. He replaced Khalid Shaikh Mohammed after his arrest in Pakistan two years ago.

"This is a big deal," National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley said. "He was not only doing operations; he was a facilitator, he was into finance, he was into administration. This is a real accomplishment."

Al-Libbi is accused of personally orchestrating two assassination attempts against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in December 2003. Mr. Musharraf escaped injury in both bombings, one of which killed 17 persons.

U.S. forces played a role in the al-Libbi capture, Mr. Hadley said.

"We provided active support," he told reporters at the White House. "It's an indication that by working together with friends and allies and doing the patient kind of work that's required over time, we can set back this organization and bring to justice its key leaders."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who described al-Libbi as an "important field general," said that while U.S. forces have been "cooperating" in the region, Pakistan deserved most of the credit.