Madrid  - The Spanish Interior Ministry has rejected a request for political asylum by Omar bin Laden, son of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, media reported Thursday.

The 28-year-old had argued that he did not feel safe in any Arab country.

Spain based its rejection partly on a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Interior Ministry sources were quoted as saying.

The report said there was no evidence that bin Laden's life was in danger in Saudi Arabia, which he is a citizen of, according to the daily El Pais.

Bin Laden can appeal the decision, following which Spain would reconsider his case within two days.

If the ministry then took another negative decision and the UNHCR issued another unfavourable report, bin Laden would be expelled immediately, after which he would still have the option of appealing through the judiciary.

In April, Britain denied a visa to bin Laden, who is married to a British citizen.

Bin Laden arrived on a flight from Cairo to Casablanca, which made a stopover in Madrid on Monday.

Bin Laden, who was travelling with his wife, was being held in an airport security area.

Omar bin Laden has publicly urged his father to abandon terrorism.

Omar bin Laden is one of Osama bin Laden's 19 children. He currently lives in Egypt. (dpa)