Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden did not perceive the Arab uprisings of 2011 as a young democratic spring born on Facebook and Twitter; he rather saw it as an opportunity and a major breakthrough for extremists.

In his recently published diary, Bin Laden asserts that the uprisings will not stop at its centers, but will expand to include the entire region and the fall of all its regimes. He asserts that he and Al Qaeda and its offshoots, especially the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, must create alliances and coordinate with whoever has the best interest in witnessing the fall of these regimes, especially Iran and Qatar.

Bin Laden was following the news of the revolution against Gaddafi with great passion, and saw it as a great opportunity for him and his organization in particular.  

Focus on Libya 

In the first pages of his diary, he talked about Libya saying: “The revolution is still under construction in Libya but it appears that Gaddafi has certain help, because he has ordered operations to restore some areas. Today there has been an attack on Misurata, the fighters shot down two planes and took the pilots captive.” 

Shortly after, the pages read: “For Libya, international public opinion is putting more pressure on Gaddafi, except for Russia which refuses to impose any.” 

Bin Laden well understood the opportunity in Libya, being the only revolution led by the hardliners, mainly al-Qaeda, represented in the elements of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.

It is rather weird that Bin Laden was happy that NATO and the West was targeting the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, which he did not deny in his diary, especially since he refuses the involvement of “repressive infidels” as he usually underlined.

In these pages, we see a completely different side of Bin Laden’s views particularly in comparison with the war to liberate Kuwait in 1990 or elsewhere.

Bin Laden was aware of all this. In his recently published diary, he insists on a greater role in Libya and the need to coordinate with everyone who influences the Libyan movement, from the Qatari preacher Yusuf al-Qaradawi to Al-Jazeera, which he characterizes as the nest for revolution from Tunisia to Egypt to others, calling for coordination with the channel and the formulation of a rhetoric that does not upset the audiences.  

Qatar’s prominent role 

One of the documents published by the CIA revealed Qatar’s prominent role in financing terrorism, embracing the ideologues of bloody doctrines, and its main task in implementing the organization’s plans to dismantle the Gulf States. 

Another paper revealed Qatar’s support to the Union of Muslim Scholars in an effort to create a government in the future.

In the paper, the leader of Al Qaeda leader suggested that the Union should involve certain names who are wanted for financing and supporting terrorism such as Hamid Al-Ali, who is wanted in Saudi Arabia. 

In his widely circulated script, the Al Qaeda leader reiterated his confidence in Qatar and that it can succeed in its mission, suggesting that the council should be outside Qatar, while the latter pays for the costs, preparation and consultation.

Qatar is home to the Union of Muslim Scholars, headed by terrorist Yusuf al-Qaradawi, which was founded in 2004.

source: Alarabiya