Noman Benotman is a former commander in the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group and spent several years with bin Laden. He is now part of a think tank in London trying to better integrate Muslims in the western world and to combat extremism. He recently wrote an open letter to his old buddy saying,

 “I recommend that al-Qaida announce a unilateral halt to its military operations for a period of six months to take a step back from fighting to study and consider the organization’s vision, approach and strategy; to explore public opinion in Muslim communities around the world and seek the guidance of those Islamic scholars who have rejected his approach and concept of Jihad.”

You can read the full letter at http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/10/an_open_letter_to_osama_bin_laden