[Saudi-born militant leader bin Laden aims a weapon at an unnamed location on an undated video obtained by Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai al-Aam on June 20, 2001. Read photo caption below].

DUBAI, (AFP) - Fighters Saudi-born Osama bin Laden are preparing to hit US and Israeli interests around the world, the Arab television channel, the Middle East Broadcasting Centre (MBC) said Saturday.

"I met with bin Laden near Kandahar (Afghanistan) over the last few days and his main supporters said in front of him that there will be a big surprise over the next two weeks," the MBC correspondent said.

Among the bin Laden supporters quoted were Abu Hafs, considered as bin Laden's right-hand man, and Ayman al-Zawahirit, the leader of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad.

The United States on Friday ordered its war fleet in the Gulf to put to sea because of credible threats of terrorist actions, and published a worldwide warning for US citizens travelling abroad.

Washington holds Bin Laden responsible for the 1998 bombings of its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which killed more than 200 people.
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PHOTO CAPTION

Followers of exiled Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden are planning a major attack on U.S and Israeli interests in the next two weeks, the Arabic satellite television channel MBC reported June 23, 2001. The station, monitored by the BBC, broadcast a report from a correspondent in the Pakistani town of Quetta, who said he had met bin Laden two days ago in Afghanistan. Saudi-born militant leader bin Laden aims a weapon at an unnamed location on an undated video obtained by Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai al-Aam on June 20, 2001. The video, made by the Osama Bin Laden organization showing the leader of the guerrilla group and fighters in training, has claimed responsibility for and praises the bombing of the U.S. warship USS Cole in Aden last year. REUTERS/Handout
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