Al-Qaeda Iraq leader 'arrested'
The leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, has been captured, say reports quoting the defence ministry.
Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, was detained during a joint Iraqi-US operation in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, they said.
There is no US confirmation. Masri is believed to have helped form the first al-Qaeda cell in Baghdad.
The Egyptian-born militant took over the leadership of the Sunni extremist group from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Zarqawi was killed in a US air strike in June 2006.
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Al-Qaeda Iraq leader 'arrested'