Iraqi forces capture al-Qaida official

BAGHDAD, April 23 (UPI) -- Security forces in Iraq have captured al-Qaida leader Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, an official said in a statement Thursday.

Major Gen. Qassem Atta said Baghdadi, who headed the Iraq Islamic State, a group linked to al-Qaida, was captured in Baghdad's al-Rasafah district by security forces, the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, said.

Atta said Baghdadi and his al-Qaida compatriots failed in their attempt to bring about a radical Islamic emirate in Iraq.