Osama bin Laden 'hiding in Pakistan': Admiral Mullen

Islamabad, July 25(ANI): US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen has supported US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement about the presence of Osama Bin Laden and other top Al-Qaida leadership in Pakistan.

Addressing media at the US embassy in Islamabad, he said: "I believe Osama is here in Pakistan."

"They are hiding in a very secure place and it is very difficult to trace them," The Daily Times quoted Admiral Mullen, as saying.

He claimed that the tribal belt on Pakistan's western border had become the "global headquarters" for Al Qaeda.

Earlier, during her visit to Pakistan, Clinton had said that she believed Laden was still in Pakistan.

"I believe (bin Laden) is here in Pakistan and it would be very helpful if we could take them (Al-Qaeda leaders)," Clinton had said.

"I assume somebody in this government, from top to bottom, does know where bin Laden is. So, I think we have got to keep pressure on, which we are doing," she added.

The US intelligence agencies have maintained that bin Laden is alive despite rumours of his poor health and a lack of verified sightings or appearances in recent years. (ANI)