Al Qaeda’s leadership has issued a statement confirming the death of Osama bin Laden, the Associated Press reports.
The statement, dated May 3, has not been independently verified, but is signed by “the general leadership” of Al Qaeda and posted on militant websites through which the group normally puts out messages.
“We stress that the blood of the holy warrior sheik, Osama bin Laden, God bless him, is precious to us and to all Muslims and will no go in vain,” the statement said. “We will remain, God willing, a curse chasing the Americans and their agents, following them outside and inside their countries.”
The statement called for the people of Pakistan to rise up in revolt, and states that an audio recording bin Laden recorded shortly before his death will soon be released. (Earlier this week, there were rumors that bin Laden had taped a final message before he was killed.)
“Soon, God willing, their happiness will turn to sadness… their blood will be mingled with their tears,” the statement said of Americans.
CNN has also seen the statement and is working to translate it.
Eric Lach
Eric Lach is a reporter for TPM. From 2010 to 2011, he was a news writer in charge of the website’s front page. He has previously written for The Daily, NewYorker.com, GlobalPost and other publications. He can be reached at ericl(at)talkingpointsmemo.com
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