A posting on an Islamist Web site stirred speculation over the fate of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, and prompted a flurry of denials on Friday that the world’s most wanted man was dead.
The entry on www.islam-minbar.net Web site began by saying there was news bin Laden had died but went on to say he was alive but, as a human being, could die any time and that Muslims should be prepared for that when it happens.
The unidentified author seemed to be trying to draw readers to his posting with a headline that bin Laden was dead.
London-based Islamist activist Yasser al-Serri, who monitors Web sites, said bin Laden “is alive” and was believed to have recently recorded a new video tape which may be on its way for broadcasting.
“The headline of the posting did create confusion, but I believe the person who posted it wanted to urge Muslim youths to continue jihad (holy war) even if bin Laden died,” Serri told Reuters by telephone from London.
Doubts among diplomats
Western diplomats in Islamabad cast doubt on the reports, apparently circulating on more than one Middle East Web site.
Western intelligence officials usually say they believe bin Laden is holed up somewhere in the mountainous frontier region between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In March, Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf told the BBC that interrogations of captured al-Qaida members and electronic surveillance had led Pakistani security forces to believe they “knew roughly the area where he possibly could be ... maybe about 10 months ago.”
But Musharraf said the trail had since gone cold.
The most recent video of bin Laden appeared on Oct. 30, four days before the U.S. election. The Saudi-born militant derided President Bush and warned of a new Sept. 11-style attack.
