Al Qaeda has appointed its long-time number two, 59-year-old Ayman al Zawahiri, to succeed Osama bin Laden as leader of the international terrorist group, said a statement posted Thursday on an Islamist website.
"The general command of al Qaeda, after completing consultations, announces the assumption of Sheikh Ayman al Zawahiri of responsibility for commanding the group," according to the announcement on the Ansar al-Mujahidin website, which has links to al Qaeda.
The statement pledged that al Qaeda would continue its jihad against Western targets following the death of its leader, who enjoyed iconic status among Islamic extremists across the globe.
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