Osama bin Laden's eldest son, Saad, has taken over the command of al-Qaeda network, the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat daily reported.
Saad bin Laden has been in charge of the organization "since the US offensive against al-Qaeda bases in Afghanistan," which began in October, and al-Qaeda's pullout from its main hideouts in the country, the newspaper quoted "informed sources" as saying.
This disclosure "substantiates the theory that bin Laden was killed or seriously wounded" in the US-led military campaign, the report added. Bin Laden's second son, 20-year-old Mohammad, had previously been mentioned as the leading candidate to succeed his father in case of his death or incapacitation, Asharq Al-Awsat said, adding that Saad was "unknown" outside al-Qaeda.
Bin Laden has some 20 sons from various wives, the newspaper said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
