The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report

Jan. 6 -- An investigation into November's deadly suicide bombings in Istanbul reveals that people involved in the attack personally met with Osama bin Laden, a senior U.S. official said on Monday. The al Qaeda leader reportedly met with these individuals some time before the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, and at that time mentioned he intended to launch attacks in Turkey. Several people involved in the November attacks trained in camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Authorities believe Turkey's status as a secular Muslim nation and a NATO member led al Qaeda to use it as a target.

Plus, officials from the Bush administration state that Pakistan transferred centrifuge design technology to Libya. Centrifuges are used to enrich uranium which can be used in nuclear weapons. Officials are quick to point out that they do not believe Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf was aware of the transfer, although most of the assistance to Libya took place post-Sept. 11, 2001 — a time when Musharraf made a pledge to clamp down on Pakistani scientists selling nuclear knowledge around the world.

THE WAR ON TERROR

INVESTIGATIONS & ALERTS

TurkeySenior U.S.Official: Several Turkish Bombing Suspects Met Bin Laden Evidence uncovered in the probe into November's deadly suicide bombings in the Turkish city of Istanbul suggests that several people involved in the attack met personally with al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a senior U.S. official said. (AFP)

South AsiaPakistan Called Libyans' Source of Atom DesignPakistan was the source of the centrifuge design technology that made it possible for Libya to make major strides in the last two years in enriching uranium for use in nuclear weapons, Bush administration officials in Washington and other Western experts said Monday. (NY Times)

SAARC Nations Join Hands for PeaceIn a significant accord on tackling terrorism in South Asia, leaders of seven SAARC countries including from India and Pakistan on Tuesday pledged to eliminate the menace in all forms and manifestations in the region and to deal effectively with financing it. (Hindustan Times)