From Dow Jones News Wires:

BAGHDAD (AP)--Authorities have captured three lieutenants of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi are close to arresting the terror mastermind himself, Iraq's deputy prime minister said Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh told reporters that al-Zarqawi's military adviser, an Iraqi named Anad Mohammed Qais had been arrested. Earlier Friday, another Iraqi official said two other al-Zarqawi aides had been arrested, including his chief of operations for Baghdad.

Asked if authorities were close to arresting al-Zarqawi himself, Saleh replied: "We are getting close to finishing off al-Zarqawi and we will get rid of him."

Rumors of his capture have come and gone in the past, but authorities have been apprehending some of his closest associates at what seems like and increasing rate recently. Conspiracy theorists argue that he is already in custody and officials are just trying to time the announcement for maximum PR and intelligence effect. Either way, let's hope this statement by a government official that soon Iraqis will be "rid of him" is accurate.

UPDATE: Fox News is running the story