Pentagon

Pentagon

The Pentagon has released video footage of Osama bin Laden which was seized at the terror leader's hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan during last Sunday's raid.

As may be seen from this CNN version the Al Qaeda leader appears to be very aware of his public image.

Bin Laden is seen as he was near the end - grey-haired with greying beard - giving credence to the Pakistan army take on him i.e. that he was aging and trapped but, more importantly for the US, that he had access to what was going on around the world and able to intervene with deadly force if he elected to do so.

Trapped in his hideout bin Laden may have had limitations on his movements but his worth to al-Qeada - hence his image consciousness - was enormous.

Ken Dilanian of the Los Angeles Times reports : "These are the sorts of videos only Bin Laden would have possessed, because he was careful about his public image, a senior U.S. intelligence official told reporters.

"The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, repeated the assertion made by the U.S. in recent days that the materials seized at the compound where Bin Laden was killed show that he was actively involved in encouraging terrorism plots and communicating by courier with his colleagues."

The UK Guardian's Amy Fallon reports : "The material suggests he played a strong role in planning and directing attacks by al-Qaida and its associates in Yemen and Somalia, two senior US officials said.

"It also suggests that Bin Laden was much more involved in directing the terror group's personnel and operations over the past decade than some analysts had previously thought.

"However, the US would not confirm reports that the material gave clues about the whereabouts of al-Qaida deputy Ayman al-Zawahri."

This continued involvement in the planning of terrorism goes a long way towards justifying the decision by US President Barack Obama to close down his quarters.

The method of removal will continue to be debated for years to come - safe in the knowledge that, at least, his presence is not lurking in the background.