BBC: A senior al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan, Abu Laith al-Libi, has been killed, Western counter-terrorism officials have told the BBC.
News of his death emerged on a website used by Islamist groups. Ekhlaas.org said he had "fallen as a martyr".
There is speculation that he was killed by a US missile strike in the North Waziristan area of Pakistan this week.
A dozen militants were reported killed in the attack. US intelligence agencies said they were checking the reports.
A Pakistani daily paper, the News, reported that the suspected US strike was aimed at Libi and another senior figure, Obaidah al-Masri.
The Pakistani government said it knew nothing about Libi's death.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he did not "have anything definitive" to say about it, the Associated Press reported. Top al-Qaeda leader reported dead >>>
Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)
