The FBI has identified an al-Qaeda suspect who agents believed was the '20th hijacker' in the September 11th attacks plot but left the country before the plan was realized, it was reported last night, citing a top US law enforcement official.
The official said the al-Qaeda operative got into the country but "had to leave" shortly before 19 hijackers carried out the attacks.
"We are fairly confident we know who number 20 is," said the official, who is involved in September 11th investigation and asked not to be identified, according to the newspaper.
USA Today newspaper said the official would not say why the operative left, whether he is alive or whether he is in US custody.
The newspaper reported that a top Justice Department official confirmed that the FBI believes it has identified the 20th hijacker.
The report said that both officials said the FBI does not believe the suspect was accused al-Qaeda conspirator Mr Zacarias Moussaoui or Mr Ramiz bin al-Shaibah - the man suspected of coordinating the attacks. Mr Bin al-Shaibah tried to get into the United States at least four times before the attacks.
Mr Moussaoui is the only person charged in the United States in connection with the hijacked plane attacks that killed about 3,000 people.