Posted on 07/29/2002 8:07:22 AM PDT by mikegi
Bin Laden's son running al-Qaeda in Afghanistan: report - NICOSIA, July 29: Osama bin Laden's eldest son is leading al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan, intensifying speculation that the world's most wanted man is dead or incapacitated, a news report said today. The London-based Arabic daily Asharq Awsat reported Saad bin Laden is now running the show in Afghanistan, according to captured al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters. The report said Saad took charge as al-Qaeda's commander after the United States-led bombing campaign forced the group's withdrawal from bases in Afghanistan. Numerous reports have suggested Osama bin Laden was either killed or wounded in Afghanistan's Tora Bora mountains after heavy bombing by coalition forces. (DPA) (Posted @ 11:15 PDT)
| Bin Laden's son 'in charge of al-Qaida since October' |
A Saudi newspaper is claiming Osama bin Laden's eldest son has taken over command of al-Qaida.
The daily Asharq Al-Awsat is basing its report on "sources close to al-Qaida" on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area.
The paper says Saad bin Laden has led the organisation since the offensive against al-Qaida bases in Afghanistan began in October.
The paper says the revelation "substantiates the theory that bin Laden was killed or seriously wounded" during the campaign.
It says bin Laden's second son, Mohammad, 20, had previously been expected to succeed him.
Story filed: 13:59 Monday 29th July 2002
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