Zarqawi's number two shot dead

Al-Qaeda's second-in-command in Iraq has been shot dead in a raid in Baghdad, US and Iraqi officials say.
Abu Azzam is described as the top aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari called the killing very important, and said those who informed on insurgents were helping to save hundreds of lives.

However, a statement purportedly from al-Qaeda in Iraq says it cannot confirm the death, and denies Azzam is the group's number two in the country.

BBC