MANILA.- A little-known militant is being considered to lead the al-Qaeda-linked group Abu Sayyaf after its two top leaders were killed by military forces, officials revealed Saturday.

Citing intelligence information, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said Yasser Igasan has been tipped as a possible replacement.

Cedo is overseeing the massive military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo.

Igasan, who has been to Libya and the Middle East, is being considered because of his terror training abroad, his good education and his crucial connections with possible foreign financiers - traits that other Abu Sayyaf commanders lack - two security officials revealed on condition of anonymity.

The Abu Sayyaf, which is included by the US in its list of foreign terrorist organizations, has been blamed for deadly bombings, beheadings and high-profile ransom kidnappings, including of Americans.

Not much is known about Igasan's background.

His name came up during intelligence operatives' monitoring of goings-on within the Abu Sayyaf following the separate killings of its chieftain, Khaddafy Janjalani, and presumed successor, Jainal Antel Sali Jr. or Abu Sulaiman, the two security officials said.

Igasan, an explosives expert, may have already returned to Jolo, according to Cedo.
"He's from abroad," Cedo said. "He has the connections."

Military and police intelligence officials have speculated that the next most likely leader of the Abu Sayyaf would be chosen from among its most senior commanders, led by Radulan Sahiron, a one-armed bandit based in the mountain jungles near Patikul town in Jolo.

Despite the emergence of possible successors, it may take time for the Abu Sayyaf to anoint a new leader because its remaining 400 armed members, mostly on Jolo and nearby Basilan island, are struggling to run away from relentless military assaults, the two security officials said.