The millionaire half-brother of Osama bin Laden, the Saudi dissident who according to some United States investigators is a suspect in the probe into Tuesday's terrorist activity, has condemned what he called a "criminal act of terrorism".

Yeslam Binladin, who has lived in Geneva for 20 years and attained Swiss citizenship in May, did not specifically mention his half-brother.

But in a brief statement to the press, Binladin said his "thoughts and profound sympathy are with the victims, their families and the American people."

"I would like to express my deepest feelings of sorrow...All life is sacred and I condemn all killing and attacks against liberty and human values," he added.

US officials have not said publicly who they think was behind the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC.

But intelligence officials have suggested that Osama bin Laden, who is believed to be living in Afghanistan, may be a suspect in the worst attack on US soil since the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941.

In a statement released by an aide from an undisclosed location on Thursday, however, bin Laden denied any role in the attacks.

The aide quoted bin Laden as calling the attacks "punishment from almighty Allah", adding that he had "no information about the attackers or their aims" and did not have "any links with them."

swissinfo with agencies

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