An audio message purportedly recorded by Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden shortly before he was shot dead by US commandos in Pakistan has been released, a media report said.
CNN reported that Osama's audio message is over 12 minutes long. The audio message starts with a prayer and remarks about anti-government protests and uprisings that swept through several African and West Asia countries earlier in 2011. CNN, which could not confirm the authenticity of the audio message, said the Islamic date shows it was recorded between April 4 and May 3. The message says: "My Muslim Umma (nation), we are monitoring with you this great historic event and we join you with your joy and delight, so congratulations on your victories and may God have mercy on your martyrs. May he cure your injured and grant the release of your prisoners."
A US official was quoted as saying it was puzzling that Osama would "suddenly join the bandwagon on the uprisings", long after they began and not mention all the Arab nations in turmoil. The official said it was a "head scratcher" as to why the Al Qaeda leader did not indicate his support for the unrest against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, a man whom he didn't like.