BAGHDAD: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda-linked militant who led a bloody campaign of suicide bombings, kidnappings and hostage beheadings in Iraq, has been killed in a US air raid north of Baghdad, Iraq's prime minister said Thursday. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said al-Zarqawi was killed about Wednesday evening along with seven aides.

The Jordanian-born militant, who is believed to have personally beheaded at least two American hostages, became Iraq's most wanted militant, as notorious as Osama bin Laden, to whom he swore allegiance in 2004. The United States put a US$25 million (about euro20 million) bounty on al-Zarqawi, the same as bin Laden.

In the past year, he moved his campaign beyond Iraq's borders, claiming to have carried out a Nov. 9, 2005 triple suicide bombing against hotels in Amman that killed 60 people, as well as other attacks in Jordan and even a rocket attack from Lebanon into northern Israel. US forces and their allies came close to capturing al-Zarqawi several times since his campaign began in mid-2003. His closest brush may have come in late 2004. Deputy Interior Ministry Maj. Gen. Hussein Kamal said Iraqi security forces caught al-Zarqawi near the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah but then released him because they didn't realize who he was.

In May 2005, Web statements by his group said al-Zarqawi had been wounded in fighting with Americans and was being treated in a hospital abroad –raising speculation over a successor among his lieutenants. But days later, a statement said al-Zarqawi was fine and had returned to Iraq. There was never any independent confirmation of the reports of his wounding. US forces believe they just missed capturing al-Zarqawi in a Feb. 20, 2005 raid in which troops closed in on his vehicle west of Baghdad near the Euphrates River. His driver and another associate were captured and al-Zarqawi's computer was seized along with pistols and ammunition. US troops twice launched massive invasions of Fallujah, the stronghold used by al-Qaida in Iraq fighters and other insurgents west of Baghdad. An April 2004 offensive left the city still in insurgent hands, but the October 2004 assault wrested it from them.

However, al-Zarqawi - if he was in the city - escaped.

From The UK:

Al Qaeda's brutal terrorist leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has been killed following a joint attack by US helicopters and Iraqi forces, according to reports. US helicopters attacked a house near Baquba, 40 miles north of Baghdad, at 6pm local time yesterday. Reports say he was injured at first then after he was handed over to the Iraqis by the Americans, he died of his injuries.

Seven people were hit in the helicopter attack, including two women, but it was not clear how many were killed or wounded.

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki confirmed today that the Al Qaeda leader had been killed. He said: "Today Zarqawi has been terminated." Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi is blamed by the United States for the murder of foreign captives and has been linked to the beheading of British engineer, Kenneth Bigley. He is also believed to be behind suicide bombings that have maimed and killed hundreds in Iraq.

The US ambassador to Iraq said: "Today marks a great success for Iraq and the global war on terror. "Zarqawi was the godfather of sectarian killing and terror in Iraq. His death is an important step in the right direction." However, he said the death of Zarqawi would not bring an end to violence in the country.

US General George Casey, based in Iraq, later confirmed that al-Zarqawi's body has been identified by fingerprints and facial recognition. The most feared leader of the Sunni Arab insurgency in Iraq, with a $25 million US bounty on his head, Zarqawi has inspired an apparently endless supply of militants from across the Arab world to blow themselves up in suicide missions in Iraq. Iraqi and US officials say he has formed a loose alliance with Saddam Hussein's former agents, benefiting from their money, weapons and intelligence assets to press his campaign.

Some posters of the most wanted man in Iraq show him in glasses, looking like an accountant, others as a tough-looking man in a black skullcap. Believed to be in his late 30s, Zarqawi remains a mysterious figure for Iraqis, who only know the carnage of his bombers. His killing could be seen as one of the most significant developments for the United States forces and the Iraqi government it backs since the capture of former President Saddam Hussein.

From South Africa:

Iraqi PM announces killing of al-Qaeda chief