Omar is alive, says CIA chief

Published February 7, 2002

WASHINGTON, Feb 6: Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar is alive, according to US Central Intelligence Agency Director George Tenet.

Replying to questions during testimony before the Senate intelligence committee on Wednesday, Mr Tenet said he believed Mullah Omar was alive, but said he would not discuss in public when it was the last time the US had received intelligence relating to the Taliban leader.

“I don’t know,” Mr Tenet said when asked whether Osama bin Laden was alive or dead. He deferred replies to further questions on Osama for a closed session that was to following the public hearing of Mr Tenet’s testimony.

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