(CNN) -- A statement from al Qaeda on Friday marking the death of Osama bin Laden included renewed warnings of terrorist attacks against U.S. interests around the world and suggested that a process to choose his successor is under way. "Sheikh Osama didn't build an organization to die when he dies," the message said. It was posted on several jihadist forums known for carrying al Qaeda statements. The man taking over will most likely be Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian who was al Qaeda's No. 2 under bin Laden. The bylaws of al Qaeda, recovered by the U.S. military in Afghanistan after September 11, set out clear guidelines on the replacement of bin Laden, requiring the Command, or Shura, Council of al Qaeda to "pledge allegiance to the deputy emir and elect him as emir in the event that the emir dies or is captured and there is no hope for his liberation."
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Ayman al-Zawahiri is the most likely successor to bin Laden, but he lacks his charisma
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Some Saudi and Yemeni members may refuse to swear allegiance to an Egyptian
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But al-Zawahiri has a reputation for strategic cunning and vision
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He is likely to face a difficult choice in selecting a deputy
Ayman al-Zawahiri
Ayman al-Zawahiri
al-Zawahiri
Analysts expect that al Qaeda may choose to announce the elevation of @placeholder through a written statement to avoid having him take the security risk of recording a statement.
Osama bin Laden
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bin Laden
bin Laden
@placeholder was the charismatic icon of the terrorist organization and may have continued to play a greater operational role than thought.
Osama bin Laden
bin Laden
bin Laden
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The discovery of information in bin Laden's files on what appears to be a small-scale aspirational plot to derail U.S. commuter trains on the 10th anniversary of September 11 indicates that @placeholder was being briefed even on the minutiae of some of al Qaeda's operations.
Osama bin Laden
bin Laden
bin Laden
bin Laden
@placeholder was the key unifying force within al Qaeda, but al-Zawahiri has always been a deeply polarizing figure within the organization, obsessing over minor theological differences with others and prioritizing jihad in Egypt over other causes.
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
Those who follow @placeholder say it was only bin Laden's charismatic aloofness, epitomized by his habit of listening to his top lieutenants bicker over strategy before deciding a course of action, that kept al Qaeda's strong centrifugal forces in check over the years.
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
Those who follow al Qaeda say it was only bin Laden's charismatic aloofness, epitomized by his habit of listening to his top lieutenants bicker over strategy before deciding a course of action, that kept @placeholder's strong centrifugal forces in check over the years.
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
al Qaeda
The challenge that al-Zawahiri now faces in keeping @placeholder from fracturing were demonstrated the last time al Qaeda fighters feared their leader may have been killed.
Egyptian
Egyptian
However, appointing a fellow @placeholder might only increase factionalism within al Qaeda.
Osama bin Laden
bin Laden
bin Laden
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The "treasure trove" of documents, thumb drives and computer discs found in @placeholder's compound may provide American intelligence with crucial clues about his whereabouts.
U.S.
U.S.
The "treasure trove" of documents, thumb drives and computer discs found in bin Laden's compound may provide @placeholder intelligence with crucial clues about his whereabouts.