Osama Reported Dead, I'll Believe When I See His Head

(Paris) My brow is furrowed. Reportedly, leaked information from a French secret document says Osama bin Laden died last month in Pakistan from typhoid. Supposedly, the information originally came from the Saudis.

From Khaleej Times:

"According to a usually reliable source, the Saudi services are now convinced that Osama bin Laden is dead," the document said.

"The information gathered by the Saudis indicates that the head of Al Qaeda was a victim while he was in Pakistan on Aug. 23, 2006, of a very serious case of typhoid which led to a partial paralysis of his internal organs."

The report, which was stamped with a "confidential defence" label and the initials of the French secret service, said Saudi Arabia first heard the information on Sept. 4 and that it was waiting for more details before making an official announcement.

According to the French Defense Ministry, the scoop was published in a French regional newspaper, L'Est Republicain. There is no confirmation of the story by anyone so far. Pakistani officials released a statement denying any knowledge of the story.