Al Qaeda leaving Iraq to establish cells in other countries: US

WASHINGTON: The US intelligence chief has said that the al Qaeda is leaving Iraq to establish its cells in other countries.

The al Qaeda is using tribal regions of Pakistan to train terrorist to wage attacks in Afghanistan, the Mideast, Africa and the US.

"Al Qaeda remains the preeminent threat against the United States," a foreign news agency quoted Mike McConnell as telling the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Mike went on to say that less that 100 Qaeda terrorists have left Iraq to establish their cells in other countries, and it may deploy resources to mount attacks outside the country.

He further said that violence in Iraq will not end in a year, adding, "It's going to be a long time to bring it to closure."

According to FBI Director Robert Mueller, the al Qaeda continues to present a "critical threat to the homeland".

Mueller also warned that "homegrown terrorists" who are inspired by its propaganda on the Internet also poses a threat.

The Defense Intelligence Agency Director, Lt. Gen. Michael Maples, said the American troops are prohibited by Pakistan from pursuing the Taliban and the al Qaeda fighters who cross the border to attack in Afghanistan.