Following are excerpts from an interview with Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal, former ambassador to the U.S. and head of the Saudi intelligence agency until shortly before 9/11. The interview aired on Al-Arabiya TV on September 9, 2011.
Interviewer: "From your expertise in security matters, would you say that the world has become a safer place after the killing of bin Laden?"
Prince Turki Al-Faisal: "Without a doubt. I was one of those who called to pursue bin Laden, and to arrest him or to get rid of him, in any way possible, even before 9/11." [...]
Interviewer: "It sounds as if you are not taking seriously the statements by Al-Zawahiri, bin Laden's successor, who made threats about another 9/11."
Prince Turki Al-Faisal: "Nobody can dismiss any threat of an attack issued by any terrorist. I cannot presume to say that terrorism has come to an end with the death of bin Laden. Terrorism is here to stay. Terrorism is eternal. It has been so ever since Cain killed Abel. Human beings have a drive to perpetrate crimes. Therefore, bin Laden's death will not end terrorism. [...]
"What the Americans did following 9/11 – ousting the Taliban in Afghanistan, for instance – was justified, because the 9/11 attack on New York not only came from Afghanistan, but was orchestrated by someone who had found refuge in Afghanistan." [...]
Interviewer: "I would like to ask you whether you ever had even the slightest doubt about the American narrative of 9/11 and bin Laden's involvement in the events."
Prince Turki Al-Faisal: "Never. There is a lot of evidence to back it up." [...]
