Former Bin Laden Spokesman Reportedly Captured

Nabbed in Jordan

U.S. authorities have captured Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, the son-in-law and onetime spokesman of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, two officials who have been briefed on the matter told USA TODAY on Thursday.

Both officials declined to be identified because they are not authorized to comment publicly. One described Ghaith as a "heavy-duty'' operative; the other said Ghaith has been in custody for some time and is scheduled to make a first court appearance within the next few days.

Rep. Peter King, R.-N.Y., who told the Associated Press that the capture also was confirmed to him by U.S. law enforcement officials, Thursday called it a "very significant victory" in the ongoing fight against al-Qaeda. He credited the CIA and FBI with catching Ghaith in Jordan within the last week.