This interview, originally in Arabic and published May 5, 2002 by al-Sharq al-Awsat, has been translate into English by JUS translators. We remind our viewers that the statements, opinions and points of view expressed here are those of the author and shall not be deemed to mean that they are necessarily those of Jihad Unspun, the publisher, editor, writers, contributors or staff.

met him after a lot of struggling. I was in Pakistan for an appointment, but this appointment turned into a series of appointments and I slowly started to lose hope. One morning, I met a new face. He accompanied me on a trip that lasted 22 hours. It was the distance between my location and the Afghan border. There, he delivered me to another face I did not know after a short rest. The time was already past midnight. They made me wear a traditional Pakistani dress and they made me ride in a Jeep that drove alone along the mountainous road which finally led to my destination. I don't want to elaborate on the description of my fears, but that night I found myself surrounded by the darkness of the ground and the darkness of the sky. Total darkness surrounded my journalistic adventure. My fears started to disappear when I met the commander I had come to visit. It was done in a tent raised just for this meeting, in order not to leave any trace behind.

Fresh water, fruits, tea and Lebanese coffee "prepared just for me", in order to make me feel more comfortable. The dialog will be conducted in the morning.

His name is Abdul Adheem al-Muhajir, one of the high-ranking field commanders of Al-Qaida. He is leading a large portion of the guerilla war which started in Afghanistan, after having participated in the confrontation in Shah-e-kot that lead to the liquidation of 16 Americans who were impossible to imprison.

The dialog with him unveiled a lot of things called "realities" by the commander, the most important being:

• It was indeed the Al-Qaida organization who conducted the Tunisian operation in Djerba. It was carried out by Nizar Sayf al-Deen, codename Sayf.

• The organization is preparing for a new and painful attack that will happen soon.

• The Taliban movement and Al-Qaida have accomplished a lot of preparations for an upcoming battle round with suitable anti-aircraft weapons.

• Abu Zubayda, the previous military official in Al-Qaida that the Americans have arrested won't be of any use to them, due to the fact that his duties had nothing to do with what the Americans are looking for.