Bin Laden's son wants to join the UN to promote peace

The son Osama bin Laden favoured to carry on his work says he would like to work for the United Nations instead -- as a peace campaigner.

In a magazine interview published Thursday following launch of a book about him, Omar bin Laden - the fourth eldest son of the Al Qaeda leader - also reveals an abortive bid by his father to get him to take up arms.

Asked if he plans to enter politics, Omar says: “I do not believe that I would be a good politician - I have a habit of speaking the truth, even when it does not serve me well. But I would like to be in a position to promote peace. I believe that the United Nations would be ideal for me.”

He told the New Statesman that his father asked him and his brothers to take up arms - “only once, at a meeting with his father”.

“His sons were in attendance, although none of us was a fighter. He spoke of how it is a great honour to live one's life for Islam and said anyone who wanted to give their life should put their name on a paper in the mosque.

“He never asked me to join Al Qaeda, but he did tell me I was the son chosen to carry on his work. He was disappointed when I said I was not suited to that life. I do not like disagreement or violence.”

Omar's book, “Growing Up Bin Laden: Osama's Wife And Son Take Us Inside Their Secret World” - co-authored with his mother Najwa and bestselling writer Jean Sasson, was published last month.

Omar ended contact with his father, the world's most wanted man, in April 2001.

Last updated on Nov 19^th, 2009 at 18:44 pm IST--IANS