FEDERAL police have confirmed they are aware of a Syrian-born refugee living in Sydney who is allegedly linked to the terrorism operations of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The Weekend Australian newspaper yesterday reported that Ahmad al-Hamwi had been accused of being a senior al-Qaida financier for 1993 World Trade Centre bomber, Ramzi Yousef. Mr al-Hamwi, who is also said to use the alias Abu Omar, has been living in Sydney since being granted asylum in June 1996, the newspaper said. He is said to be related to bin Laden by marriage and allegedly was a confidant of some of the terror kingpin's closest lieutenants. An Australian Federal Police spokesman said they were aware of Mr al-Hamwi, but declined to elaborate further. Attorney-General Philip Ruddock also would not comment.