If anything Sheikh Abdel-Mageed al-Zindani, a well-known political leader of al-Islah party and influential cleric, can congratulate himself on being ever so elusive to the U.S authorities.

For several years, the White House has claimed high and low that Zindani was a terrorist and leading figure of the terror group al-Qaeda.

So far, Zindani was enjoying president Saleh’s protection. Although willing to assist the Americans in their fight against terrorism, going as far as to allow their Drones to penetrate the Yemeni airspace and carry out their raids, Saleh always categorically refused to hand out the Sheikh.

Political maneuvering or loyalty, little does it matter. President Saleh was smart enough to realize that a condemnation of the Sheikh would lead his tribe to protect him violently. Zindani is much more than a tribal leader in Yemen, for many he is a moral compass, a religious authority that no one would dare challenge on his homeland.

Interestingly enough, Saleh issued an arrests warrant against the Sheikh when the later announced his support of the Opposition. For the regime he had become the most wanted al-Qaeda operative in the region, and he needed to be apprehended…

Belief is that Zindani is on America “Most Wanted” terror suspect list. But as Mohamed Qahtan claimed in a statement to the press: “There is no such claim [by the U.S.] That was just blackmail by the regime.” He further added: “The Yemeni Constitution, bans handing over any wanted person to a foreign state except for Saudi Arabia under the framework of an agreement between the two states of extraditing criminals.” 

This is what the American Embassy had to say on the matter: “has a long history of working with bin Laden, notably serving as one of his spiritual leaders. In this leadership capacity, he has been able to influence and support many terrorist causes, including actively recruiting for al-Qaeda training camps.

 Most recently, he played a key role in the purchase of weapons on behalf of al-Qaeda and other terrorists.”

Furthermore, U.S Ambassador to Yemen, Gerard Feierstein told the press: “Abdul Majid al-Zindani, as you know, is on the terrorism list both of the United States and the United Nations, and so would we have a problem if he were elected President, absolutely...”

And whether or not he is indeed a member of al-Qaeda, it looks as if Sheikh al-Zindani will still elude American’s justice.