Bin Laden's son denied British residency

By PAUL SCHEMM Associated Press Writer

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - One of Osama bin Laden's sons has been denied British residency because London authorities believe his presence in the country would cause "considerable public concern," the man's wife said Thursday.

Omar Osama bin Laden, a 27-year-old metals trader, had hoped to live in Britain with his British-born wife. The couple lives in Cairo but she is eager to return to her country, where she has a home.

But his wife, Zaina Alsabah, said Omar's residency application was rejected, and showed The Associated Press a statement from the couple's legal firm quoting a British consular officer who said his residency in Britain would not be "conducive to the public good."

"I note that statements made during recent media interviews indicate evidence of continuing loyalty to your father who is ultimately held responsible for the London bombing," the unnamed British official was quoted as writing. He was referring to suicide attacks on July 7, 2005, that killed 52 people.

"Your presence in the U.K. could, therefore, cause considerable public concern," the official said in the statement.

Omar has not renounced his father, but says he wants to be an "ambassador for peace" between Muslims and the West. The couple plan a 3,000-mile horse race across North Africa to draw attention to the cause of peace.

Alsabah said the couple would appeal the residency rejection. "The decision can't be based on media reports," she said.

Britain's Home Office, responsible for the country's borders and immigration, declined to say anything about the application, saying it does not comment on individual cases.

Omar - one of bin Laden's 19 children - raised a tabloid storm last year when he married the 52-year-old British woman, Jane Felix-Browne, who changed her name to Zaina Alsabah.

Bin Laden is believed to be hiding in the Pakistan-Afghan border region.