He suggested his father did not oppose his leaving — and Alsabah interjected that Omar was courageous in breaking away, but neither elaborated. Although there is no way to confirm the details he describes of his childhood and upbringing, the strong family resemblance and Omar’s knowledge of Osama’s family life have convinced many of his lineage.

“Omar is the son of Osama bin Laden and his first wife, Najwa,” a US intelligence official said. The official confirmed Omar was raised in Sudan and Afghanistan after his father was forced out of Saudi Arabia.

Omar and his wife say they have not been bothered by Egyptian officials, who said on Thursday that Omar did not pose a threat.

Omar said he hasn’t seen or been in contact with his father since leaving Afghanistan. “He doesn’t have an e-mail,” Omar said. “He doesn’t take a telephone... if he had something like this, they will find him through satellites.”

Omar says Osama bin Laden is just trying to defend the Islamic world. “My father thinks he will be good for defending the Arab people and stop anyone from hurting the Arab or Muslim people any place in the world,” he said.