Belgian-born Abaaoud named as Paris attacks mastermind

An undated photograph of a man described as Abdelhamid Abaaoud that was published in the Islamic State's online magazine Dabiq and posted on a social media website. [Photo/Agencies]

BRUSSELS -- Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a 27-year-old Belgian man from Molenbeek in Brussels, has been named as the likely mastermind behind the Paris terror attacks, French and Belgian media reported on Monday.

"Our colleagues affirm that the Belgian security services believe Abaaoud organized the Paris attacks that killed at least 132 persons," the information site Lavenir.net said.

French broadcaster RTL said Abaaoud was already wanted by Belgium for his suspected role in a terror plot in the southern Belgian town of Verviers which was stopped by police in January.

Flemish newspaper De Standaard said Abaaoud, who is of Moroccan descent, is believed to have links with Brahim Abdeslam, who carried out one of the suicide bombings in the French capital Friday night.

De Standaard added that Abaaoud was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison by a Brussels court in July, in a trial relating to jihadist recruitment of Belgians for fighting in Syria.

Le Nouvel Observateur magazine in France said Abaaoud had fought for Islamic State in Syria and appeared in a March 2014 video for the militant group. Liberation newspaper said Abaaoud is also linked to the thwarted Thalys train attack in August.

Meanwhile, a major police operation in Molenbeek on Monday was called off by mid-afternoon, without the prime suspect in the Paris shootings, Salah Abdeslam, being found, local media reported.