The U.S. military says U.S.-led forces in Iraq have captured a prominent militant linked to al-Qaida ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

A military statement issued Saturday says Abdul Aziz Sa'dun Ahmed Hamduni -- also known as Abu Ahmed -- was detained on December 22. The military says Abu Ahmed was the deputy of Abu Talha, commander of a Zarqawi terrorist group in the northern city of Mosul.

Last week, the Iraqi government announced the capture of two other Abu Talha leaders in late December.

The developments come as Iraq prepares for elections on January 30.

President Bush says the U.S. military will do its best to give every Iraqi citizen a chance to vote. On Friday, the president confirmed reports he is sending a team to Iraq to assess the country's security situation.