WASHINGTON, Oct 29: The Al Qaeda network has a new leadership of six men who previously worked in the shadow of Osama bin Laden, The Washington Post said on Tuesday.

The six were identified by US and European intelligence since Osama and his lieutenants, whether dead, ill, injured or on the run, cannot manage the reins of the network.

“Intelligence officials view these men’s emerging roles within Al Qaeda as proof that the group can adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and regenerate its leadership,” the Post reported.

The new leaders “have been there from the beginning, but were in the shadows, not the most visible people”, said a European intelligence analyst.

The six are at separate locations in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia and an unnamed country in south Asia.—AFP