AFP
 
Dubai, Feb 1: A Saudi businessman and brother-in-law of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Madagascar, his brother said on Wednesday.

Jamal Khalifa, who traded in gems, was killed in cold blood while sleeping in his room, which was raided by an armed gang of 25 to 30 people, Malek Khalifa told Dubai-based Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television.

The assailants stole all of Khalifa's belongings, the brother said by telephone from the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah.

Al-Arabiya quoted unspecified sources as saying the gunmen stormed a precious stone mine owned by Khalifa at dawn on Wednesday and killed him, making off with documents and other possessions.

Malek Khalifa insisted that his brother had no links with bin Laden despite being a brother-in-law of the Saudi-born terror chief, who has been disowned by his family.

"He has no relation whatsoever with Osama bin Laden. He had told all international channels that he has no links with Osama bin Laden's organization or any other organization," Malek said.