Britain has arrested a terrorist suspect identified as Osama bin Laden's "ambassador" in Europe. British media say the suspect, Muslim cleric Abu Qatada, is being held in a high security prison.
British authorities say police and internal security agents carried out a raid Wednesday in south London and detained a suspect under an anti-terrorism law.
Police are not identifying the man, but British media said Friday he is Abu Qatada, thought to be a prominent figure in the al-Qaida terrorist network founded by Osama bin Laden.
The United Nations has put Abu Qatada on its terrorist list, and he is wanted in France, Spain, Algeria and Jordan.
Abu Qatada has in the past denied involvement in terrorism. He went into hiding 10 months ago, just before Britain's tough new anti-terrorism law went into effect. The law allows authorities to hold foreigners indefinitely.