Bin Laden's son has taken over, claims report

A Saudi newspaper has claimed Osama bin Laden's eldest son has taken over command of al-Qaida.

The daily Asharq Al-Awsat is basing its report on "sources close to al-Qaida" on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area.

The paper says Saad bin Laden has led the organisation since the offensive against al-Qaida bases in Afghanistan began in October.

The paper says the revelation "substantiates the theory that bin Laden was killed or seriously wounded" during the campaign.

It says bin Laden's second son, Mohammad, 20, had previously been expected to succeed him.