The second most senior figure in al Qaida in Iraq, Hamed Juma Faris al-Suaidi, also known as Abu Humam or Abu Rana, is shown in an undated handout photo released yesterday. - REUTERS

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP):

Authorities on Sunday announced the capture of al-Qaida in Iraq's No. 2 leader, accusing him of "brutal and merciless" terror operations, including the bombing of a Shi'ite shrine that touched off the sectarian bloodletting pushing Iraq toward civil war.

Iraq's national security adviser said Hamed Jumaa Farid al-Saeedi, known as Abu Humam or Abu Rana, was arrested a few days ago as he hid in a residential building south-west of Baquba.