Zawahiri lacks bin Laden's credentials: US official

The anonymous official said Zawahiri does not have any actual combat experience

WASHINGTON: New al Qaeda chief Ayman alZawahiri lacks the skills and credentials of the terror network's slain leader Osama bin Laden, a senior US administration official said Thursday.

"He hasn't demonstrated strong leadership or organizational skills during his time in al Qaeda or previously while in the Egyptian Islamic Jihad," the official said, asking to remain anonymous.

Al Qaeda on Thursday named the Egyptian surgeon, and the group's long-time number two, to succeed bin Laden, who was killed in a May 2 US commando raid on his compound in Pakistan.

"His ascension to the top leadership spot will likely generate criticism if not alienation and dissention with al Qaeda," the official said.

He stressed that the 59-year-old has not had any actual combat experience, and had opted instead "to be an armchair general with a 'soft' image."

"The bottom line is that Zawahiri has nowhere near the credentials that bin Laden had."