Al-Qaeda in Iraq today denied it had appointed a deputy to lead the group until its reputed leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who it said was wounded, could resume command.
A statement purporting to be from the group earlier today said its leaders had met and decided to appoint a deputy to assume leadership.
The statement was posted on an Islamist website. Jordanian-born Zarqawi and Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda's overall leader, are Washington's two most-wanted men.
