WASHINGTON (AP):

Seemingly taunting Osama bin Laden, President George W. Bush's Homeland Security adviser said yesterday the fugitive al-Qaida leader is "virtually impotent" beyond his ability to hide away and spread anti-American propaganda.

The provocative characterisation came just days after bin Laden attracted international attention with the release of a video in which he ridicules President George W. Bush about the Iraq war and reminds the world that he has not been captured.

White House aide Frances Fragos Townsend made a clear attempt to diminish the influence, saying, "This is about the best he can do.