Report: FBI Has New Sept. 11 Hijacking Suspect ("Fairly confident")

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&ncid=716&e=12&u=/nm/20031105/ts_nm/security_alqaeda_suspect_dc

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI has identified an al Qaeda suspect who agents believed was the "20th hijacker" in the Sept. 11, 200,1 plot but left the country before the plan was realized, USA Today reported on Wednesday, citing a top federal law enforcement official.

The official said the al Qaeda operative got into the country but "had to leave" shortly before 19 hijackers carried out the attacks.

"We are fairly confident we know who No. 20 is," said the official, who is involved in Sept. 11 investigation and asked not to be identified, according to the newspaper.

USA Today said the official would not say why the operative left, whether he is alive or whether he is in U.S. custody.

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[Minstrel Boy]

1. WTF?!?

I thought they said Moussoui was the fifth Beatle? What are they going to do with him now - throw out the case and disappear him into Ashcroft's gulag?

[0007]

2. Is this Ashcroft's way of getting back into the lime light?

And why tell of this much and be secretive to the vital part. If true it seems to me the FBI wouldn't be revealing this much information.

[nostamj]

6. no, it's about putting

9/11 BACK in the limelight.

all that good news from Iraq you know....

[0007]

7. I see, we're talking about real progress, 'eh?

Ah yes, marching forward.

[Robb]

3. This is such nonsense

"What common household food can kill you? Find out at 11."

Change the date on this story and it's not news. I think someone at the FBI just wants to look like they've got some kind of lead. He got into the country, but "had to leave?" Err...?

Edited to add: Oh geez, I just saw the part about how he was supposed to be on Flight 93.... If they've actually got someone, get ready for your October Surprise. If they can parade around some guy that was "supposed" to be on the Let'sRoll(tm) flight, they'll own the news cycle.

[leesa]

4. Well, that's good, seeing as how they don't know who the other 19 were

What a load of crap. Look right in the WH for all 20.

[RedSock]

5. now denied

new story posted at the original link now says the feds deny the report.

isn't this like the 5th 20th hijacker so far?