The United States has put sanctions on three Pakistan-based individuals it says are top al Qaida members. Wednesday's action freezes any assets in the United States belonging to Abu Yahya al-Libi; Abd al-Rahman Ould Muhammad al-Husayn Ould Muhammad Salim; and Mustafa Hajji Muhammad Khan. Americans are also barred from doing business with the men.
David S. Cohen, the under-secretary of treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, says the sanctions strike "at the heart of al Qaida's remaining leadership and its operations in Pakistan.'' The Treasury Department identified al-Libi as an al Qaida commander, Salim as a senior leader of the terrorist organisation and Khan as a facilitator, courier and operative.