Bin Laden's death will be avenged, al-Qaeda swears

Al-Qaeda has confirmed the death of its leader Osama bin Laden and vowed revenge for his killing by elite US commandos. In a statement posted on internet jihad forums, the network specified the location of bin Laden's death and who was responsible possibly laying to rest fringe conspiracy theories.

Reuters/Asmaa Waguih

The statement made a direct appeal to Muslims in Pakistan to avenge bin Laden's killing.

"We call upon our Muslim people in Pakistan ... to rise up and revolt to cleanse this shame that has been attached to them by a clique of traitors and thieves who sold everything to the enemies," it said.

The network also said it would release an audio taperecorded by the Saudi-born founder a week before his death.

The confirmation comes amid limited protests against bin Laden's death in parts of the Muslim world.

In Abbottabad, the town where bin Laden was found, some 1,000 men set fire to tyres and blocked a main road.

In the north-west Pakistani city of Peshawar, some 400 people turned out and a 300-strong rally was held in the central city of Multan.

Meanwhile in the Egytpian capital, Cairo, a similar number of people took to the streets, while a smaller number demonstrated in Istanbul.