Free Republic

Amnesty International condemned the United States on Wednesday for the "unlawful" commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden in his lair in Pakistan. "The US administration made clear that the operation had been conducted under the US's theory of a global armed conflict between the US and al-Qaeda in which the US does not recognise the applicability of international human rights law," the human rights group said in its annual report. "In the absence of further clarification from the US authorities, the killing of Osama bin Laden would appear to have been unlawful," it said.

Nancy Pelosi, press conference, September 7, 2006: [E]ven if [Osama bin Laden] is caught tomorrow, it is five years too late. He has done more damage the longer he has been out there. But, in fact, the damage that he has done ... is done. And even to capture him now I don't think makes us any safer. Nancy Pelosi, earlier today: The death of Osama bin Laden marks the most significant development in our fight against al-Qaida. ... I salute President Obama, his national security team, Director Panetta, our men and women in the intelligence community and military, and...

Riyadh, 26 July (AKI) - The family of Osama bin Laden has asked the Saudi monarchy for permission to change its surname. The on-line newspaper Arabian Business reports that "the relatives of the 'sheikh of terror' no longer want to be recognised as belonging to the bin Laden family and have therefore asked to change the surname on their passports." The royal family is thought to have approved the request, according to the newspaper, which it describes it as "unprecedented". The family itself revealed that it had made the request to journalist John Bradley, who first got to know them...