(Reuters) - The former head of Saudi Arabia's intelligence service said in remarks published on Sunday that Osama bin Laden was alive and preparing for a surprise comeback. "I believe he is alive...and is waiting for the appropriate time. It will come as a surprise like he did before," Prince Turki al-Faisal told the Saudi-owned London-based Ashraq al-Awsat newspaper. Prince Turki was replaced by Prince Nawaf, one of King Fahd's half-brothers, shortly before the September 11 attacks. Prince Turki, a senior member of the Saudi royal family, had overseen the intelligence apparatus for 25 years. Prince Turki estimated that al Qaeda members still at large number about 5,000 people. Many Afghan officials have said they believe both bin Laden and Mullah Omar are alive.
2002-10-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive