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CIA chief says bin Laden in Pakistan

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-12 08:21

WASHINGTON – CIA Director Leon Panetta said on Thursday the US intelligence agency believes al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan and hopes joint operations with Pakistani forces will find him.

A video grab from an undated footage from the Internet shows Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden making statements from an unknown location. [Agencies]

Asked whether he was sure that bin Laden was in Pakistan, Panetta told reporters: "The last information we had, that's still the case."

Related readings:  Bin Laden says Obama to follow Bush's steps  Bin Laden accuses Arab leaders, urges jihad  Bin Laden urges jihad against Israel  White House: Audiotape shows bin Laden is isolated  Bin Laden's driver heading home to Yemen

Bin Laden, who has eluded a US manhunt since the September 11, 2001, attacks, has issued audio and videotapes over the years demonstrating that he is still alive.

Finding bin Laden is "one of our major priorities," Panetta said. "One of our hopes is that the Pakistanis move in militarily, combined with our operations, we may be able to have a better chance" to find the al Qaeda leader, he said.

Panetta said al Qaeda "remains the most serious security threat" to the United States and its leaders, particularly in Pakistan, continue to plot against America.

There are "a number of people" on the ground in Pakistan providing intelligence on al Qaeda targets to the United States, he said.

The intelligence agency also is focusing on countries where al Qaeda might find safe haven, like Somalia and Yemen, Panetta said.