In an interview with The Associated Press today, Omar Osama bin Laden seemed to be defeated by his father at every turn. He wants to be a peacemaker, but The A.P. quickly observes that "many may have a hard time getting their mind around the idea." He says peace between the West and Al Qaeda is possible, but his father sings a much different tune in his recent videos. (Not that there are any truce talks out West). When he got married in April, his bride was mocked in a British newspaper as the "granny who married Osama bin Laden's son." She's 52, he's 26. Even his biggest dream seems to be dimmed by his father, or at least the terrorists inspired by him in Africa. In an effort to build support for a 3,000-mile horse race across North Africa, he's billing it as "an equine version of the famous Paris-Dakar car rally," The A.P. said. Unfortunately, the outlook for that particular race is grim at the moment after it was canceled due to safety concerns. And who was making it unsafe? A North African affiliate of Al Qaeda.
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Omar Osama bin Laden bears a striking resemblance to his notorious father - except for the dreadlocks that dangle halfway down his back. Then there's the black leather biker jacket.
The 26-year-old does not renounce his father, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, but in an interview with The Associated Press, he said there is better way to defend Islam than al-Qaida's militancy: Omar wants to be an "ambassador for peace" between Muslims and the West.