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Thai rebels tied to Al-Qaida

NARATHIWAT, Thailand - Al-Qaida-linked terrorists helped a Muslim insurgency carry out audacious attacks on 21 schools and security forces in southern Thailand, the country's new security adviser said Thursday.

It was the first acknowledgment by a senior Thai official that foreign militants have helped local separatists stage attacks over the past two years.

The organization of the firebomb strikes on the schools early Sunday indicates the attackers are foreign-trained extremists, officials and experts said.

HAMBURG, Germany - Prosecutors sought the maximum 15-year sentence Thursday for an alleged helper of the Sept. 11 suicide hijackers.

Chief prosecutor Walter Hemberger said Abdelghani Mzoudi, 31, was a "founding member" of a Hamburg-based cell led by hijacker Mohamed Atta. He urged Mzoudi's conviction on more than 3,000 counts of accessory to murder and as a member of a terrorist organization. The hijackers regarded Mzoudi as "a reliable and discreet partner in the preparation of the attacks," officials said.