Syrian Arms Dealer Indicted in NYC

Syrian alleged arms dealer Monzer Al Kassar is seen at his home in Marbella, southern Spain, in this May 29, 1998 file photo. Spanish police on Friday June 8, 2007, say they have arrested Al Kassar, a longtime resident of Spain, who is wanted by the United States on terrorism and other charges. (AP Photo/Paul White) (Paul White - AP)

Although FARC commanders have in the past declared U.S. military officials in Colombia to be "military targets," the rebel group has avoided attacking either American personnel stationed in the country or offices such as embassies or consulates.

Al-Kassar also is reportedly on the Iraqi government's most-wanted list for allegedly arming insurgents, and has been accused of aiding militants in many of the world's bloodiest conflicts.

He stood trial in Spain in 1995 on charges that he supplied assault rifles used by Palestinian militants in the hijacking of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in 1985, but he was acquitted for lack of evidence. The hijackers killed 69-year-old New Yorker Leon Klinghoffer, dumping his body and wheelchair overboard.

On Friday, al-Kassar went before another Spanish judge. There were no immediate details on extradition proceedings, though Spain and the United States do have an extradition treaty that applies in such cases.

A court in Bucharest, Romania, on Friday ordered al Ghazi and Godoy held without bail for 29 days pending extradition. The two, represented by a court-appointed lawyer, filed an appeal. Ghazi was identified as a Polish citizen of Palestinian origin, and Godoy was identified as a Spanish citizen of Chilean origin.

If convicted, the three defendants face possible life sentences.

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Associated Press writers Paul Haven and Daniel Woolls in Madrid and Lara Jakes Jordan in Washington contributed to this report.