Al Qaeda Leader Reportedly Killed by French Airstrike in Mali

Abdelhamid Abou Zeid was one of the leaders of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb

(CNN) -- One of al Qaeda's most influential figures in North Africa has been killed in a French airstrike in northern Mali, according to sources close to the French military command in the country.

Abdelhamid Abou Zeid was a deputy leader of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and one of its most ruthless commanders, having seized at least a dozen foreigners for ransom. At least two have been killed; several French citizens remain captive.