The nerve centre of al-Qaeda lies in Pakistan: Pentagon

WASHINGTON: Al-Qaeda's "nerve center" lies in Pakistan even though the recent killings of Osama bin Laden in May and now its number two Atiyah abd al-Rahman has dealt the global terror group severe blow, the Pentagon on Monday said.

"Al-Qaeda in Pakistan clearly remains a nerve center of the organisation, remains dangerous. They have suffered significant losses in recent years," Pentagon spokesman, George Little told reporters during an off-camera news conference here.

Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula also remains a considerable concern, Little said in response to a question.

"I think the Secretary (of Defense) has made the key point that keeping up the intense pressure on leadership of al-Qaeda and its militant allies is very important.

"He believes that this is essential to protecting this country. It is essential to eventually defeating and dismantling al-Qaeda," he said.

"The latest death of Atiyah abd al-Rahman, who had grown in prominence inside Al Qaeda in recent years is a significant blow to the group," Little said.