Iraq says it detained al-Qaida militant suspected of plotting attack on World Cup

Iraq says it uncovered al-Qaida plot on World Cup

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi official says security forces have detained an al-Qaida militant suspected of planning an attack targeting the World Cup in South Africa next month.

Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, a spokesman for Baghdad security services, says the militant was an officer in the Saudi army.

Abdullah Azam Saleh al-Qahtani is suspected of planning a “terrorist act” in South Africa during the World Cup beginning June 11, al-Moussawi said in Monday’s press conference.

He added that al-Qahtani entered Iraq in 2004 and is suspected in several attacks in the capital and elsewhere in the country.