Osama bin Laden's son plans to visit Israel with wife, apologises for his father's actions

Osama Bin Laden's son has told an Israeli newspaper that he is planning on visiting Israel, as he apologised for his late father's actions and revealed more about his upbringing.

Speaking to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Omar, the youngest of Bin Laden's sons, said he was expected to take over from his father as head of Al-Qaeda but rejected.

"My father hated his enemies more than he loved his sons. I felt stupid for the life that I wasted, and I knew that I was leaving, and leaving very soon," he told the daily, adding he and his brothers were told they should become "martyrs".

He spoke of "shame and horror" he felt towards his father for the crimes he committed, saying he was forced to come to terms with who his father really was.

Omar, who now lives in France, told the newspaper that he was planning to visit Israel with his wife, whose family he says are Jewish. He also has dreams of visiting the United States.

"We believe that the world needs to live as one, and that neighbours from every religion can live alongside each other in peace."

Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan at the start of May 2011 in a US Navy SEALs operation. His body was allegedly buried at sea.