US Decides to Not Release Pictures of Dead Osama Bin Laden

US officials had been discussing whether to publish the said pictures in a move to counter conspiracy theories that he did not die.

Obama revealed his decision on the photographs during an interview with CBS television's 60 Minutes program, saying the images could inflame sensitivities.

"We don't trot out this stuff as trophies. There are going to be some folks who deny it. The fact of the matter is you won't see Bin Laden walking on this Earth again. It is important for us to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence. I think that, given the graphic nature of these photos, it would create some national security risk," the President has stated in the interview which is to be aired over the weekend.

White House spokesman Jay Carney confirmed, at a briefing, Obama's decision, pointing out the administration had been monitoring world reaction and there was no doubt that al-Qaeda believe Bin Laden is dead.

In a statement, made a day earlier, CIA director Leon Panetta, said the photos would be released at some stage.

Obama's decision prompted a mixed reaction from US politicians with the democrats generally sharing the President's view and Republicans saying it is a mistake.

The al-Qaeda founder and leader was shot dead in a raid on Monday by US special forces in northern Pakistan.

Bin Laden is seen as the mastermind of the September 11 attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania as well as of many other terrorist plots.

On Thursday, the US President will visit Ground Zero, the site of World Trade Center in New York, to remember victims of the attacks.

A spokesman says he would lay a wreath and meet emergency workers and relatives of those who died, but would not be making a speech.

Tags: US, White House, president, Pakistan, Osama, bin Laden, Pakistan, Al Qaeda, Jay, Carney, Barack, Obama, CIA, Leon Panetta