ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center
SOURCE: Rediff News
12February2011 12:08pmEST
GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Pakistan-based Al Qaeda's senior leadership remained committed to acquiring weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons, a top Obama administration official said.
In his testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Michael Leiter, director of National Counter-terrorism Centre said, "We assess that 
Al Qaeda's senior leadership in Pakistan remains committed to obtaining all types of weapons of mass destruction."
"But thanks to some outstanding and effective offensive action against Al Qaeda senior leadership in Pakistan, we also assess that their ability to do so is greatly diminished since 9/11," Leiter said in response to a question from Congressman Mike Rogers, chairman of the committee.
"So you would rate their intention as high to try to secure that?" Rogers asked.
"Yes," answered Leiter. "I think the intent remains high, in particular in Pakistan and in Yemen," Leiter said.
Expressing concern over the current situation in Pakistan, Congressman Ben Chandler said, "Pakistan is one of the most dangerous places on the planet." (read full report)
