Al-Qaida Likely To Launch Attack U.S. Interest

Washington (AHN) - After suffering a series of defeats in Iraq, a U.S. intelligence report indicates that the al-Qaida terror organization of Osama bin Laden is trying to establish terror cells in other countries and using the tribal regions in Pakistan to launch attacks in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa and the United States.

Mike McConnel, chief of the U.S. Intelligence service told a Senate hearing, "Al-Qaida remains the pre-eminent threat against the United States."

He said an estimated 100 al-Qaida members have established cells in other countries after the organization suffered defeats from the U.S. military's renewed campaign to hunt them down in Iraq. McConnel said al-Qaida "may deploy resources to mount attacks outside the country."

The Intel chief said he expects the situation in the Iraqi region to take years to stabilize although there were significant drop in violence since 2007.

"It is not going to be over in a year. It's going to be a long time to bring it to closure," he said.

With the defeat of the al-Qaida in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, bin Laden may become desperate to launch attacks outside of the region.

In separate Congressional hearing, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said al-Qaida may again attack U.S. interest using Pakistan's tribal areas.