Top Bin Laden Aide May Be Key Planner

Oct. 7 -- Intelligence sources say that Mohammed Atef, a top bin Laden aide, took credit for planning the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

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Officials say it was Atef who Tony Blair referred to in his speech when he said, "One of bin Laden's closest lieutenants has said clearly that he helped with the planning of the Sept. 11 attacks and has admitted the involvement of the al Qaeda organization."

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Some reports describe Atef as the "mastermind" behind the attacks, but it is still unclear what role he played and how deep his involvement was.

Atef is also suspected to have played an operational role in the planning of the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Africa, of the USS Cole, and of the killing of American troops in Somalia.