In a story originating with Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, the first wife of al-Zarqawi said he had been betrayed to the Americans
by al Qaeda in exchange for a promise to let up in the search for bin Laden.
Toronto Star
In Jordan, Al-Zarqawi's eldest brother, Sayel, said the family had not been aware of the woman's whereabouts for about two years.
"I think a secret pact was struck whose immediate goal was his death," she told the newspaper. "In return, the American troops promised to ease, at least momentarily, their hunt for bin Laden."
"Al-Qaeda is currently especially worried with protecting its charismatic leader," she added.
She claimed the Jordanian secret service and Sunni tribal leaders had been intermediaries in the deal. Zarqawi had become too dangerous. It is alleged his cell phone contained the numbers of senior civil officials and members of parliament.