Navy Seal gives interview on Bin Laden book No Easy Day

The book has shot to the top of US bestseller lists

The first interview has been aired with a former US special forces member who wrote a first-hand account of the May 2011 raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.

The Navy Seal, who uses the pseudonym Mark Owen, was interviewed by the US television network CBS.

Mr Owen repeated his claim that Bin Laden was shot as soon as he looked out of his bedroom, contrary to the official version of events.

The Pentagon has said it may sue Mr Owen for divulging military secrets.

In the interview, Mr Owen - who has been identified by US media as Matt Bissonnette - defended what he said was the manner of Bin Laden's death.

"If a guy sticks his head around the corner he very easily could have a gun," he told CBS' 60 Minutes programme.

"You don't wait to get that AK or the grenade thrown down the hall or the suicide vest," he added.

He said that Bin Laden was still moving after the first shot and was shot again when the Seals entered the room.

"[The Seals] couldn't see his hands. So, he could've had something. Could've had a hand grenade or something underneath his chest," Mr Owen said.

Mr Owen's book contradicts the official version of Bin Laden's death at a compound in north-west Pakistan

US officials had stated he was shot only after he had ducked back into the bedroom, prompting fears he might be grabbing a weapon.

'Improper disclosure'

Mr Owen told of a later meeting with President Obama at which the Navy Seals refused to tell him which of them had shot Bin Laden.

"Pulling a trigger is easy.... It's not about who that one person was, it's about the team... that teed this whole thing up," Mr Owen said.

"Who cares who the one person is. Doesn't matter," he added.

The book was not reviewed ahead of publication by the Pentagon, CIA or the White House - and officials had warned that criminal charges could result from the improper disclosure of secret information.

The Pentagon's general counsel, Jeh Johnson, has written to the author to inform him that "in the judgment of the Department of Defense, you are in material breach and violation of the non-disclosure agreements you signed."

The Pentagon is considering "all remedies legally available to us", the letter added.