Pentagon: Al-Qaida still enjoys Afghan haven

[May 31, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon says al-Qaida still enjoys safe haven in some areas of eastern Afghanistan, and even though its numbers are small, its presence worries the top American commander there.

Pentagon spokesman Capt. John Kirby says Wednesday that al-Qaida has found places it can plan and train, but he was not specific about its locations. He said elements of the terrorist group move back and forth from Pakistan.

Kirby was responding to questions about Tuesday's announcement that the U.S.-led NATO force had killed al-Qaida's second-ranking leader in Afghanistan in an airstrike in eastern Kunar province, which borders Pakistan. He says "any number" of al-Qaida in Afghanistan is a matter of concern for Marine Gen. John Allen, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces there.

[Associated Press]

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