Al-Qaida new leader recalls bin Laden as hospitable man
Source: Agencies |
June 4, 2012, Monday
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OSAMA bin Laden spent all his personal wealth on jihad, considering meat and electricity as luxuries so he could save his money to help fund terror attacks, according to recollections from his deputy and successor posted online late Saturday.
Al-Qaida's new leader Ayman al-Zawahri, in the second of his "Days with the Imam" series of videos, said bin Laden would pay readily for hospitality for his guests - although he lived mostly on bread and vegetables, he once invested in an entire herd of sheep to slaughter in case visitors came by.
Al-Zawahri, who became head of al-Qaida after bin Laden was killed in a US raid last year, spoke while dressed in a white Arab robe and turban.
He is believed to lack his predecessor's personal authority within the far-flung terror network, and may be trying to boost his own popularity by emphasizing his closeness to the more charismatic bin Laden.
Bin Laden was born to a wealthy family, but ran into financial troubles after he was pushed out of Sudan in 1996, al-Zawahri said.
Shortly thereafter, he said, bin Laden spent US$50,000 to help finance 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania at a time when he only had US$55,000 to his name. Those bombings killed 224 people. Bin Laden's personal wealth also helped finance the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US.
"He is well-known for living austerely but he spent all his money for jihad," al-Zawahri said "If you enter his house you would find simple furniture .. and if we were invited to eat, he offered us what was available in his house, bread and vegetables."
But the terror leader was "generous to his guests by slaughtering sheep for them and because of continuous visitors, he once bought a herd of sheep so that he would be always ready for them."
He said bin Laden used to encourage the mujahideen - "holy warriors" - to live without electricity.
Al-Qaida's new leader Ayman al-Zawahri, in the second of his "Days with the Imam" series of videos, said bin Laden would pay readily for hospitality for his guests - although he lived mostly on bread and vegetables, he once invested in an entire herd of sheep to slaughter in case visitors came by.
Al-Zawahri, who became head of al-Qaida after bin Laden was killed in a US raid last year, spoke while dressed in a white Arab robe and turban.
He is believed to lack his predecessor's personal authority within the far-flung terror network, and may be trying to boost his own popularity by emphasizing his closeness to the more charismatic bin Laden.
Bin Laden was born to a wealthy family, but ran into financial troubles after he was pushed out of Sudan in 1996, al-Zawahri said.
Shortly thereafter, he said, bin Laden spent US$50,000 to help finance 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania at a time when he only had US$55,000 to his name. Those bombings killed 224 people. Bin Laden's personal wealth also helped finance the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US.
"He is well-known for living austerely but he spent all his money for jihad," al-Zawahri said "If you enter his house you would find simple furniture .. and if we were invited to eat, he offered us what was available in his house, bread and vegetables."
But the terror leader was "generous to his guests by slaughtering sheep for them and because of continuous visitors, he once bought a herd of sheep so that he would be always ready for them."
He said bin Laden used to encourage the mujahideen - "holy warriors" - to live without electricity.
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