Al-Qaida Iraq ringleaders captured

BAGHDAD, July 15 (UPI) -- U.S. forces in Iraq Tuesday announced the capture of the suspected leader of an al-Qaida bombing ring allegedly affiliated with Hezbollah.

The Multi-National Force -- Iraq (MNF) said in a written statement said the suspect is believed to have been trained in Iran in the use of explosives and has been running a "network of explosives experts in Baghdad."

"Innocent Iraqi people are safer now that this cell has been disabled," MNF spokesman Col. Jerry O'Hara said.

O'Hara said troops were tipped to the suspect's location and he surrendered without incident.

His identity and details of his reputed links to Hezbollah and Iran were not released.

The MNF also said it captured a suspect near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk who allegedly provided forged travel documents for foreign terrorists entering Iraq.