Bin Laden daughter hides in Saudi embassy in Iran

[December 23, 2009]  CAIRO (AP) -- A Saudi-owned newspaper says that one of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden's daughters has taken refuge in the Saudi Embassy in Tehran after eluding guards who have held her and five brothers under house arrest for eight years.

It has long been believed that Iran has held in custody a number of bin Laden's children since they fled Afghanistan following the U.S.-led invasion of that country in 2001 -- most notably Saad and Hamza bin Laden, who are thought to have held positions in al-Qaida.

Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper says the 17-year-old daughter, Eman, slipped away from guards and fled to the Saudi Embassy. The report quotes the embassy's charge d'affaires confirming she is there.

Iranian and Saudi officials would not immediately comment.

[Associated Press; By SALAH NASRAWI]

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