Osama bin Laden killed now so what?

Osama bin Laden killed now so what?

Saif al-Adel is operating as the interim head of the terrorist organisation while a permanent replacement for bin Laden is found, according to Noman Benotman, an expert on the group.

Mr Benotman, a former associate of bin Laden who now works for Quilliam, the British anti-extremist think-tank, said information about the restructure had been passed to him by jihadist contacts.

“He is in charge in operational and military terms," Mr Benotman told Reuters. “This has happened in response to the impatience displayed by jihadists online who have been extremely worried about the delay in announcing a successor."

Mr Benotman said that Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Ladens’ longtime deputy, was using the hiatus to gather declarations of loyalty from key al Qaeda lieutenants.

"It is hoped that now they will calm down,” he said. “It also paves the way for Zawahri to take over."