Two suspects in embassy bombings allegedly attack prison guard

NEW YORK - Two U.S. embassy bombing suspects attacked a guard at a federal lockup, stabbing him in the eye and leaving him in critical condition, authorities said.

A federal law enforcement source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that the guard at the Metropolitan Correctional Center was stabbed in the eye Wednesday with some kind of plastic implement.

The thrust was believed to be so severe that the man lost his eye and the implement penetrated the guard's brain, the source said.

The 43-year-old guard, whose name was not released, was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he underwent surgery for more than 12 hours, said Lorinda Klein, a spokeswoman for the hospital. He remained in critical condition Thursday.

''Our thoughts and our prayers are with the family,'' said Attorney General Janet Reno, who was asked about the incident at a Thursday news conference in Washington. She said she understood he was expected to recover, but gave no details on his condition.

The suspects were identified as Khalfan Khamis Mohamed and Mamdouh Mahmud Salim, who have both been indicted in connection with the Aug. 7, 1998, bombings at embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Twelve Americans were among the 224 people killed in the attacks.

Salim, 41, has been charged in the United States with murder conspiracy and use of weapons of mass destruction in an international plot to kill Americans. He is alleged to be the finance chief for Osama bin Laden, the Saudi exile accused of being behind the bombings.

Salim was arrested in Germany in September 1998 on a U.S. warrant. He was extradited to the United States three months later.

Mohamed, 24, allegedly rented a house in Tanzania that was used as a bomb factory. He was arrested in October 1999 in South Africa as he applied for a renewal for his temporary residence permit. He was extradited to the United States the next day.

The source said it was unclear what had precipitated the attack, but WPIX-TV reported that it happened after the two men had met with their attorneys.

Christine Dynan, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Correctional Center, said Thursday that the FBI is investigating an assault on a correction officer Wednesday morning. Details were not being given out to avoid impeding the investigation, she said.

Paul McAlister, attorney for Salim, said he had heard nothing officially from prosecutors and ''I have no comment because I know nothing.'' The offices of Jeremy Schneider and David Stern, attorneys for Muhamad, said they were in court and not available.