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U.S. Releases Documents Recovered In Bin Laden Raid


U.S. intelligence officials have released documents they say were recovered during the 2011 raid on the compound in Pakistan where U.S. forces killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a statement that the release of the documents followed a "rigorous" review by U.S. government agencies and "aligns with the president's call for increased transparency consistent with national security prerogatives."

It said the 2014 Intelligence Authorization Act required the office to conduct a review of the documents for release.

According to the newly released documents, bin Laden pleaded with his followers to stay focused on attacking the United States instead of being dragged into Muslim infighting.

When he was killed by U.S. Navy commandos, Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden was planning a coordinated media push to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, inlcuding a video address.

One of the documents resembles a job application for terrorism recruits, asking questions such as: "Do you wish to execute a suicide operation?" and ending with: "Who should we contact in case you become a martyr?"

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
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