Taliban leader says bin Laden still alive

DUBAI: A chief of Afghanistan's ousted Taliban militia said Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is alive and has sent him a letter of condolences, in an interview broadcast on Tuesday on Al-Jazeera television.

"The latest proof of Osama bin Laden is alive is that he has sent me a letter of condolences after my brother was martyred," Manoor Dadullah said.

He was referring to the Taliban's top military commander, Mulah Dadullah, who was killed by US-led forces in May.

"Sheikh Osama is alive, active and healthy, and does not hesitate to perform his duties," said Dadullah who has replaced his brother.

Bin Laden carries a 25-million-dollar US bounty on his head and is accused of masterminding the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States which killed nearly 3,000 people.