The Iraqi government on Wednesday displayed for the first time a picture of a man they claim is the leader of an Al-Qaida front group that is believed responsible for some of Iraq's most deadly bombings.
The arrest of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State of Iraq, shown in the photo with a close-cropped beard and black T-shirt, could mark a setback for insurgents trying to intensify attacks after a relative lull.
But the capture or death of other high-ranking insurgent figures in the past has done little to undercut extremist's ability to carry out attack.
A writer whose comments are widely read on Islamic websites, Muhub Ruyat al-Rahman, signaled insurgent groups were not certain the man captured was al-Baghdadi.
Regardless, he said, the "death of the leaders or their arrest will never halt the march of jihad, or holy war, and victory."
Authorities said al-Baghdadi had provided tips that led to the breakup of a bombing cell believed to be planning attacks to coincide with Saddam Hussein's birthday.
Al-Baghdadi's capture was announced by the Iraqi government last week, but the claim met with skepticism due to similar announcements in the past that have proven false. The US Defense Department said it still could not confirm the report.
