Al Qaeda reportedly behind US airline plot

WASHINGTON - Al Qaeda has reportedly claimed responsibility for the failed attack on a US airliner on Christmas Day, a firm that monitors terrorist activity said Monday.

The IntelCenter located outside Washington said Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, posted a statement on a website saying that it was behind the failed plot to blow up Delta/Northwest Airlines Flight 253 as it descended to land in Detroit from Amsterdam.

AQAP also released a photo of the suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab who allegedly tried to detonate the explosives.