TEHRAN, Oct 28: Iran on Tuesday reiterated its refusal to hand over suspected members of the Al Qaeda network detained in the country, insisting that operatives from the group would be tried in the Islamic Republic’s courts.

“The demand by the White House that members of this group currently held in Iran be extradited is inappropriate,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted a saying by state radio.

“They have committed crimes in Iran and will be judged by our tribunals in accordance with our laws,” he said, promising fair trials.

On Monday, the United States said Iran should turn over all suspected members of Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network it has detained and not just notify the United Nations of their identities.

Previously, Iran said it had arrested and deported about 500 people belonging to or linked to Al Qaeda since late 2001 to their countries. Those who had been extradited were not believed to include any senior member of the group.

But the identity of those still being held has been the subject of intense speculation.

Diplomatic sources and Arab press reports have pointed to the possible presence in Iran of the movement’s spokesman Sulaiman Abu Gaith and its number three, Saif al-Adel.

Also said to be in Iran is Osama bin Laden’s son, Saad, seen as now taking a top role in the network.

While acknowledging the presence of some senior members of the group here, Iran is refusing to name them for security reasons.—AFP