Osama bin Laden dead: son and presumed heir also killed in raid
The raid on the Pakistani compound that killed Osama bin Laden on Monday also resulted in the death of his son and presumed heir, Hamza.
The al-Qaeda leader’s youngest son was also his closest confidante and often at his side.
Since he was implicated in the murder of the moderate Pakistani leader Benazhir Bhutto, intelligence agencies believed that Hamza has been groomed as a future leader of al-Qaeda.
“We have been happy just to get the son,” said one Whitehall official. “It’s a real bonus to get them both.”
Now thought to be aged 18, Hamza bin Laden played a propaganda role for al-Qaeda and his father by appearing in a video published in 2001.
Patrick Mercer, a Conservative MP and security specialist, dubbed Hamza the Crown Prince of Terror in 2008.
A video featuring the youngest of the Saudi-born warlord’s 18 sons, was posted on an extremist website to mark the third anniversary of the July 7 London bombings in which 52 people died.
He called for an acceleration in the “destruction” of America, Britain, France and Denmark, the latter singled out for the publishing by its largest selling broadsheet of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.
“Oh God, reward the fighters hitting the infidels and defectors. Oh God, guide the youth of the Islamic nation and let them assist with the fighters’ plans,” he said. “God, be pleased with those who want to go for jihad – and blind those who are watching and want to capture them.
“Grant victory to the Taliban over the gangs of infidels.”
Mrs Bhutto, the former Pakistani prime minister, named the teenager as the leader of one of a number of gangs plotting to kill her.
In a posthumous autobiography published after she was assassinated at a campaign rally, Mrs Bhutto said he believed that Hamza was plotting her assassination.
Mrs Bhutto said the warning had been given to her by President Pervez Musharraf and a “friendly muslim government”.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8488238/Osama-bin-Laden-dead-son-and-presumed-heir-also-killed-in-raid.html
Bin Laden death prompts warning for Canadians abroad
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Armed Metropolitan Transportation Authority police officers and city police officer stand among the travellers in New York's Grand Central Station on Monday, May 2, 2011. Security was heightened as a result of the announcement of the killing of Osama bin Laden. (AP / Stephen Chernin)
Updated: Mon May. 02 2011 1:45:27 PM
CTV.ca News Staff
CTV.ca News Staff
The federal government is warning Canadians abroad to avoid public gatherings or protests that may turn violent in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death at the hands of U.S. forces.
The Department of Foreign Affairs issued its warning a day after U.S. President Barack Obama announced that bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda and architect of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, had been killed during a military operation in Pakistan.
"Canadians residing in or travelling to areas where anti-Western violence could occur are advised to exercise a high degree of caution, monitor local news, avoid public gatherings and demonstrations, and stay away from areas where they may take place, as they could turn violent without warning," the department said.
The agency advised Canadians to consult its website for updated travel reports and warnings, and to register with the Canadians Abroad service in order to more easily access consular advice and assistance.
In the early hours of Monday morning, not long after Obama's announcement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said receiving the news of bin Laden's death gave him a sense of "sober satisfaction" but warned that the al Qaeda leader's death did not necessarily spell the end of international terrorism.
Harper, who hopes to win a third straight term in Monday's federal election as leader of the Conservative party, said bin Laden's death should provide some comfort to the friends and families of the 24 Canadians who were killed on 9/11.
However, Harper cautioned that "sadly, others will take his place" and suggested the fight against international terrorism will not end with the death of one man.
Later Tuesday, the RCMP said it is assessing the news of bin Laden's death to determine if there is reason to believe there is an increased threat to Canadians.
Bin Laden was killed in a U.S. military operation Sunday at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, about 100 kilometres from Islamabad.
Obama said bin Laden's body was taken into custody by U.S. officials, and there was word later that he had been buried at sea.
New Democrat Leader Jack Layton, who is making a serious bid to become either official opposition leader, or prime minister, said in a statement that the news serves as a reminder of Canada's international responsibilities.
"Tonight, as we recall the horrific events of September 11, we re-commit ourselves to promote Canada's role in the international community as a leading contributor to the world's peace, security and prosperity," Layton said.
He added that the memories of the 9/11 attacks "will be ingrained on our collective memory forever."
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, who wrote a book partially focusing on Afghanistan and has participated in high-level U.S. meetings on the region, called bin Laden a "mass murderer" on Monday and said his death was "very, very good news."http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110502/leaders-react-osama-death-110502/20110502/?hub=MontrealHome
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell. --Justice Black. NYT v. US. 403 US 713
Osama bin Laden: A dead nemesis perpetuated by the US government
ON MAY 1, 2011, JUST MOMENTS BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCED THAT THE US HAD KILLED OSAMA BIN LADEN, THE WHATREALLYHAPPENED WEBITE CAME UNDER MASSIVE DISTRIBUTED DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACK. THIS PAGE, WHICH DOCUMENTS THAT OSAMA BIN LADEN ACTUALLY DIED IN DECEMBER OF 2001, APPEARS TO BE WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE DIDN'T WANT AVAILABLE WHILE THE NEW PROPAGANDA WAS "CATAPULTED FORWARD". IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS THE OPENING GAMBIT IN A PLAN TO STAGE A "REVENGE" ATTACK FROM "AL QAEDA" ON THE UNITED STATES, WITH WHICH TO JUSTIFY TOTAL WAR ON THE MIDDLE EAST.
| Bin Laden's voice was detected regularly until [14 December 2001] by intelligence operatives monitoring radio transmissions in Tora Bora, according to the Pentagon [details]. Since then, nothing has been heard from the al-Qa'eda leader and President Bush has hinted in private that bin Laden's silence could mean he has been killed. [Telegraph, 12/28/2001] |
Osama bin Laden: A dead nemesis perpetuated by the US government
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Benazir Bhutto killed in attack | ||||||
At least 20 other people died in the attack and several more were injured. President Pervez Musharraf has urged people to remain calm but angry protests have gripped some cities, with at least 11 deaths reported. Security forces have been placed on a state of "red alert" nationwide. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack. Analysts believe Islamist militants to be the most likely group behind it. Ms Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had served as prime minister from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996, and had been campaigning ahead of elections due on 8 January.
It was the second suicide attack against her in recent months and came amid a wave of bombings targeting security and government officials. Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, announced his Muslim League party would boycott the elections. He called on President Musharraf to resign, saying free and fair elections were not possible under his rule. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session and later said it "unanimously condemned" the assassination. Scene of grief Ms Bhutto's coffin was removed from hospital in Rawalpindi and has now arrived by plane in Sukkur in Sindh province for burial in her home town, Larkana.
Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, has arrived in Pakistan from Dubai to escort the coffin to its final resting-place. The attack occurred close to an entrance gate of the city park where Ms Bhutto had been speaking. Police confirmed reports Ms Bhutto had been shot in the neck and chest before the gunman blew himself up. She died at 1816 (1316 GMT), said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of the PPP who was at hospital.
Some supporters at the hospital wept while others broke into anger, throwing stones at cars and breaking windows. Protests erupted in other cities as news of the assassination spread, with reports of 11 deaths in the PPP's heartland province of Sindh, including four in provincial capital, Karachi. More than 100 cars were burned in Karachi, while cars and a train were reportedly set on fire in Hyderabad. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7161590.stm Most agree with U.S. killing of bin Laden: poll WASHINGTON | (Reuters) - The United States made the right decision to kill al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, according to an online poll on www.reuters.com on Monday that also gives President Barack Obama a boost. U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in Pakistan on Sunday, bringing a dramatic end to the long manhunt for the man who was the most powerful symbol of Islamist militancy. Seventy-nine percent who participated in the poll said Washington made the right decision to kill bin Laden, compared with 14 percent who said no and 7 percent who were not sure. But only 25 percent said they felt safer after the death of the al Qaeda leader, compared with 59 percent who said they did not. Obama got a fair amount of credit for killing bin Laden, with 37 percent saying he deserved the most credit, while 13 percent said his Republican predecessor, President George W. Bush, should get the credit. Some 50 percent said neither should get credit for the raid. A slim majority of respondents, or 51 percent, said bin Laden's killing had not changed their perception of Obama's leadership. But 29 percent said it made them feel more favorable to him and 13 percent said they now feel much more favorable. Seven percent said the killing made them feel less so. | ||||||
Extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan 
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