US defence secretary says Pakistan not aware of bin Laden's hideout

May 19, 2011, 10:47 GMT

Washington - Pakistan's political and military leadership was unaware of the Abbottabad hideout used by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates has said.

'I have seen no evidence at all that the senior leadership knew ... In fact, I've seen some evidence to the contrary,' Gates told a press conference at the Pentagon, according to a report in Thursday's New York Times.

Gates said he assumed bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad some 50 kilometres from Islamabad had been known to at least some people in Pakistan.

'My supposition is, somebody knew,' Gates said at the press conference, which Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also attended.

'We don't know whether it was retired people, whether it was low level - pure supposition on our part,' Gates said. 'It's hard to go to them with an accusation when we have no proof that anybody knew,' he added.

US special forces killed bin Laden in a covert operation on May 2. The al-Qaeda leader's long-term presence in a walled compound not far from the Pakistani capital has raised suspicions that elements of the Pakistani establishment knew of his hideout.

Al-Qaeda has released an audio message from bin Laden to anti-government protesters in the Arab world.

In the 12-minute recording, which al-Qaeda said was made a week before his death, bin Laden expressed support for the recent uprisings and called on al-Qaeda followers to work 'in parallel' with these uprisings.

'To the Muslim nation, we are watching with you this great historic event and share with you the joy and happiness. Congratulations on your victories and may God grant your martyrs mercy,' he said.

'The sun of the revolution has risen from the Maghreb,' he said in the message posted on Islamist websites.

'The light of the revolution came from Tunisia,' he said. 'Tunisia was the first, but the knights of Egypt have quickly taken the spark to Tahrir Square.'

'This revolution was not for food and clothing. Rather, it was a revolution of pride, sacrifice and giving. It has lit the Nile's cities and its villages from its lower reaches to the top,' he said.

Bin Laden added that the wind of change has left Israel worried.

He also called on the 'free rebels in all the countries' to adhere to their initiative and be careful of dialogue.

'I think that the winds of change will blow over the entire Muslim world, with the will of Allah,' he added.