Abu Zeid al-Qaeda leader's death in Paris of Africa confirmed

Paris: France confirmed Saturday that the Islamic Maghrib (AQIM), Abdelhamid Abu Zeid, one of the key leaders of al Qaeda in northern Mali French-led forces was killed in fighting.

Al Qaeda's North African branch, one of the most radical leaders are considered, is 46 years old, Tunisia and Niger significantly in the area of ​​
operation extends with terrorist groups, and kidnapping activities in the region for is credited.

French President FRANCOIS Hollande "believe Ifoghas northern Mali in February while fighting with the French army in the mountains Abdelhamid Abu Zeid from death certificates in leadership, Elysee Palace said in a statement.

One of the main leaders of AQIM in the Sahel eliminate a significant step in the fight against terrorism is a symbol. '

Abu Zeid's death, the Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno, whose troops fought alongside French troops to secure Ifoghas by 1 March was announced.

Two days later, Chadian army also announced that the independent Algerian Islamic militants Belmokhtar, the historic leader of Al Qaeda's North Africa branch killed.

France's foreign minister said LAURENT Fabius Ifoghas in late February after severe fighting that DNA tests will be done to determine whether the two had in fact died.

But France so far away from Al Qaeda and the Algerian gas plant hostages were killed on the 38 January raid masterminded Belmokhtar, death is not confirmed.

Abu Zeid an unflinching capacity for violence and a deep, long known for the role when it was due.

Debdeb, born in Algeria, near the border with Libya, Abu Zeid financial institutions Islamic movement, which in 1991 won the country's first democratic election was a youth worker but denied power. After that, most of the 1990S disappeared underground.

The GSPC group in 2003 in which 32 foreigners kidnapped in southern Algeria, and with many other organizations, in order to prepare for the worst AQIM emerged again.

In June 2009, the British tourist Edwin Dyer man is kidnapped. According to several witnesses, Abu Zeid personally beheaded him.

French aid worker Pierre Camatte, who at the end of 2009 for 89 days was held by Abu Zeid henchmen that will affect AQIM leader's death.

"The organization has been decapitated," he said.

Camatte the man responsible for kidnapping met four times and missed a clear role is cold. "Every time he suggested the kidnappers but he got very little with them," rescue worker told AFP.

Later, Abu Zeid - whose real name, according to court documents Algeria Mohammad Ghdir - AQIM "Sahara rich" Yahia Djouadi deputy is considered a katiba, Mauritania, Algeria, and was known fighters from Mali or battalion command Tareq Ibn Ziyad.