Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Lebanon has reported the death of a captured Al Qaida commander.

The Lebanese Army said Majid Al Majid, a Saudi national, died on Jan. 4 during interrogation in Beirut. The Army said the health of Al Majid, identified as the commander of the Al Qaida-aligned Abdullah Azzam Brigades, declined in prison.

“His health condition in detention deteriorated,” Lebanon’s official National News Agency said.

The Lebanese Army did not provide details of Al Majid, captured in December and whose group claimed responsibility for the twin suicide bombing of the Iranian embassy in Beirut in November 2013. Officials said, however, that Al Majid underwent kidney failure.

Officials said Iranian intelligence representatives attended the interrogation of Al Majid, whose identity was determined by DNA tests. They did not say whether Al Majid, also wanted by Saudi Arabia, was tortured by the Iranians.

Abdullah Azzam Brigades, named after an associate of the late Osama bin Laden, was identified as one of the most active affiliates of Al Qaida. Over the last few years, the group claimed responsibility for attacks on Israel from Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.

Officials said Al Majid was also active in the Sunni revolt in
neighboring Syria as well as oversaw fundraising in the Gulf. They said Al
Majid focused on attacks on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and
Hizbullah.

The United States has determined that Abdullah Azzam was operating
through two branches. The State Department said Abdullah Azzam formed the
Yusef Al Uyayri Battalion for operations in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and the
Ziyad Al Jarrah Battalion for operations in Lebanon.

Officials said Abdullah Azzam was expected to soon replace Al Majid.
They said additional Al Qaida affiliates, particularly Islamic State of Iraq
and the Levant, were already claiming responsibility for attacks on Hizbullah.
On Jan. 4, ISIL claimed to have bombed a Hizbullah stronghold in Beirut.

“[ISIL] penetrated the security network of the party of Satan
[Hizbullah] and crushed its strongholds,” ISIL said.

  Abdullah Azzam Brigades, Captured Al Qaida commander dies during interrogation conducted by Iran intelligence officials, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Majid Al Majid