PLO INSURGENCY LEADER REPORTED KILLED
ABU DHABI (MENL)-- A leading Palestinian insurgent opposed to PLO Chairman
Yasser Arafat is said to have been found dead.
Arab media reports in several countries said Sabri Al Bana, also known as
Abu Nidal, was found dead in his home in Baghdad over the weekend. The
reports said Abu Nidal was either killed or committed suicide under the
threat of death.
The Doha-based A-Jazeera satellite television reported that Abu Nidal was
found dead on Friday from a gunshot wound. The network cited Arab sources as
saying that his death appeared that of a suicide.
Earlier on Monday, the Palestinian Authority daily, Al Ayyam, reported
that Abu Nidal was found killed. The newspaper also said the death appeared
to be that of a suicide.
Palestinian sources said Abu Nidal might have been targeted by agents of
President Saddam Hussein. They said Saddam might have ordered the killing of
Arafat's longtime rival in a gesture that signals a new development in their
alliance.
Arafat has helped organize pro-Saddam rallies in the Gaza Strip. Saddam
has relayed more than $30 million in funds for families of Palestinian
suicide bombers and others killed in the war against Israel.
Abu Nidal 65, led the Iraqi-supported Fatah Revolutionary Council and had
targeted Arafat supporters. The group has long been inactive and Abu Nidal
was sentenced to death in absentia by a Fatah military court.
