Access to Bin Laden's family denied to US

Pakistani authorities say they will not allow the US automatic access to the relatives of Osama bin Laden, who were detained after Sunday's raid on his fortified compound in Abbottabad.

The two countries face an awkward custody battle for the  al Qaeda leader’s wife and children.

Up to three women and nine children are currently in detention under Pakistani authorities.

It is understood they are being held at a medical facility in Rawalpindi.

A senior intelligence source told The Daily Telegraph that any request from US officials would not be granted so soon.

However, he said US authorities would be granted access after  obtaining written permission from the country of origin of the detainees. He said this was standard procedure, and that the policy had been in place since 2003.