Osama Bin Laden Is In Pakistan: CIA Chief

Washington - CIA Director Leon Panetta said on Thursday the U.S. intelligence agency believes al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan and hopes joint operations with Pakistani forces will find him.

Asked whether he was sure that bin Laden was in Pakistan, Panetta told reporters: "The last information we had, that's still the case."

Bin Laden, who has eluded a U.S. manhunt since the September 11, 2001, attacks, has issued audio and videotapes over the years demonstrating that he is still alive.

The CIA director has said he believes al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan.

US intelligence chief Leon Panetta was asked by reporters whether he was sure that Bin Laden was in Pakistan.

Mr Panetta replied: "The last information we had, that's still the case."

The US spy agency hopes to close in on him as Pakistan's military cracks down on the tribal area where he is thought to be hiding.

Bin Laden, who has eluded a US manhunt since the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, has issued audio and videotapes over the years demonstrating he is still alive.

Mr Panetta said finding bin Laden is "one of our major priorities."

He added: "One of our hopes is that the Pakistanis move in militarily, combined with our operations, we may be able to have a better chance" to find him.

He also said al Qaeda "remains the most serious security threat" to the United States and its leaders, particularly in Pakistan, continue to plot against America.

There are "a number of people" on the ground in Pakistan providing intelligence on al Qaeda targets to the US, he said.

The intelligence agency is also focusing on countries where al Qaeda might find safe havens, like Somalia and Yemen, Mr Panetta went on.

Meanwhile, the leader of al Qaeda in Afghanistan has reportedly said militants are short of food, weapons and other supplies needed to fight foreign forces there.



On a website used by top al Qaeda leaders and other militants to post statements, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid said: "In Afghanistan, we have a severe supply deficit.

"The main reason for the weakness in operations is insufficient supplies.

"Many mujahedeen sit and wait and cannot fight for lack of supplies."

Yazid called on Turks to provide money and supplies for al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan, appealing to their common Muslim identity, and called for Turks to pray for the militants.

Al Qaeda has been severely weakened in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled their Taliban hosts in response to the terror attacks on September 11, 2001.

Finding bin Laden is "one of our major priorities," Panetta said. "One of our hopes is that the Pakistanis move in militarily, combined with our operations, we may be able to have a better chance" to find the al Qaeda leader, he said.

Panetta said al Qaeda "remains the most serious security threat" to the United States and its leaders, particularly in Pakistan, continue to plot against America.

There are "a number of people" on the ground in Pakistan providing intelligence on al Qaeda targets to the United States, he said.

The intelligence agency also is focusing on countries where al Qaeda might find safe haven, like Somalia and Yemen, Panetta said.