Report: Al-Masri to Succeed al-Majed as Head of Azzam Brigades
Saudi national Abed al-Masri is allegedly the successor of Majed al-Majed, who died in Lebanon last week, as the “emir” of the al-Qaida-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Monday.
According to the daily, al-Majed “recommended before departing the Palestinian Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp in Sidon , to engage in battles in Syria, the appointment of al-Masri as his successor if he was hurt.”
The newspaper reported that al-Majed's recommendation came during a meeting attended by prominent figures in the brigades including al-Masri, Toufik Taha, Mohammed and Haitham al-Shaabi, Khaled al-Abeed and Abou Ons, who is also known as Abdul Malek al-Yamani.”
The report described al-Masri as an radical character with a strong personality.
Al-Majed, a Saudi national, died in Lebanon while undergoing treatment at the Central Military Hospital after his health deteriorated, the army said in a communique.
Al-Majed, who is also wanted by Saudi Arabia on terrorism charges, was arrested by the Lebanese army in connection with the twin suicide bombings that targeted the Iranian embassy in Beirut's southern suburbs in November.
Al-Akhbar pointed out that the men “are currently present in (Ain el-Hilweh) refugee camp and are moving between Lebanon and Syria when necessary.”
However, a source from inside the refugee camp told the newspaper that al-Masri “is currently in Syria,” estimating that the brigades member Sirajeddin Zreikat or another Saudi man would succeed al-Majed.
Information obtained by the daily said that the brigades Shura council, which is formed of seven members, has already appointed 40-year-old al-Masri, three days after the death of al-Majed.
The report said that al-Masri was allegedly summoned by al-Majed into the refugee camp to supervise the brigades in Lebanon.
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