Al-Qaeda 'confirms Osama Bin Laden dead'

Al-Qaeda has confirmed the death of its leader Osama Bin Laden, according to a statement attributed to the group and posted on jihadist internet forums. The statement said his blood would not be "wasted" and that al-Qaeda would continue attacking the US and allies. Bin Laden's death would be a "curse" for the US and urged an uprising in Pakistan, the statement added. Bin Laden was shot dead on Monday when US commandos stormed his compound in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad.

Several rallies are being held across Pakistan on Friday in protest at Monday's raid. The statement said an audiotape would soon be released of the al-Qaeda leader speaking a week before his death. "[Osama Bin Laden's blood] will remain, with permission from Allah, the Almighty, a curse that chases the Americans and their agents, and goes after them inside and outside their countries," it warned. "Their happiness will turn into sorrow, and their blood will be mixed with their tears. We call upon our Muslim people in Pakistan, on whose land Sheikh Osama was killed, to rise up and revolt."

Correspondents say many Pakistanis are angry at what they see as a US infringement of their country's sovereignty. They are also critical of Pakistan's government for allowing the commando operation to happen, although officials deny they were told. Around 1,000 people gathered in central Abbottabad following Friday prayers, AFP news agency reported.

They set fire to tyres, blocked a main road and shouted "Down, down USA!" and "terrorist, terrorist, USA terrorist". Anti-American sentiment also appeared to be high at a similar protest in the south-western city of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province.

source: BBC

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