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FBI points to new Sept. 11 suspect

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The FBI has identified an al-Qaida operative who almost became the 20th hijacker for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, USA Today reported Wednesday.

An official who asked for anonymity said the unidentified al-Qaida operative got into the United States but "had to leave" the country shortly before 19 hijackers carried out the attacks that killed some 3,000 people. The official would not say why the operative left, whether he is alive or whether he is in U.S. custody.

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The FBI does not believe the would-be terrorist was accused al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui or Ramzi bin al-Shibh, the alleged terror paymaster who tried to get into the United States at least four times before the attacks.

If the FBI's theory is correct, one of the mysteries of the Sept. 11 attacks would be solved -- why United Flight 93 had four hijackers on board when it crashed in Pennsylvania while the three other hijacked jets each carried five terrorists.

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