Laden rules out facing trial in any country, criticises Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (UNI) Osama bin Laden has virtually ruled out facing trial in any Muslim country for the crimes he is accused of, saying that if the United States had charges against him, he too had a chargesheet against it.

In an interview to urdu journalist Hamid Mir, the first since the Septembsr 11 terror strikes on the United States, bin Laden said Afghanistan is the only truly Muslim state.

"Pakistan follows english laws.

I do not consider Saudi Arabia an Islamic country," he added.

He does not have nice words for Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf either.

Bin Laden feels Mushurraf should not have succumbed to pressure and joined the war against the Taliban.

"It is no wisdom to barter the blood of Afghan brethren to improve pakistans economy," he added.

The wanted terrorist said Musharraf would be punished by the Pakistani people and Allah.

"Right now, a great war of Islamic history is being fought in Afghanistan.

All the big powers have united against Muslims.

It is "Sawabss Kreward from God blessing) to participate in this war," he added.

Bin Laden felt Pakistan should have given in to the wishes of the people.

However, in reply to unother question, he said they would defend Pakistan and not leave it to anybodys mercy.

Bin Laden alleged that American media instigated people against Muslims.

"The Jewish Lobby has taken America and the west hostage,"he said.

Asked if a political solution could be worked out to end the current conflict, bin Laden said those responsible for starting the war should answer that.

"We are merely defending ourselves," he added.

Bin Laden also refuted a french news report that he had a kidney ailment and had gone to Dubai for treatmept last year.

Also, in another first, bin Laden shut the lid on rumours that he had married the daughter of Taliban supreme religious head Mullah Omar and got his daughter married to the one-eyed cleric.

:All my wives are Arabs and all my daughters are married to Arab Mujahideen.

I have a spiritual relationship with Mullah Omar...

He is a great and brave Muslim and does not fear anyone but Allah," he said.