Wednesday, October 5 2005 09:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Amman: Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Jabr said terrorist leaders- apart from al-Qaida's Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi- are strengthening in Iraq and are determined to dispatch militants to neighbouring countries, according to comments published today (Oct 05, 2005).

"Al-Zarqawi is certainly operating in Iraq, but his dominating power is over," Jabr told sources.

"More significant leaderships have emerged and they're asking him (al-Zarqawi) to keep the explosives and operational experts and to export (terrorists) from Iraq to operate in neighbouring countries," Jabr said, without providing details to support his claims.

Western diplomats, speaking to sources on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to be quoted, disagreed with the claims, saying there was no indication that al-Zarqawi's influence in Iraq has diminished.

The US-based Human Rights Watch said in a report released yesterday that militant groups like al-Qaida in Iraq, Ansar al-Sunna and the Islamic Army in Iraq "are the biggest perpetrators of attacks against civilians."

The Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi is responsible for scores of deadly suicide bombings, beheadings and kidnappings, including of Arab diplomats. The US has placed a USD 25 million bounty for any information leading to his arrest.