Pakistan is preventing foreign journalists and other visitors from getting close to the house of slain al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden ahead of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The Danish Ambassador to Pakistan and his wife, and two French journalists, were among several people detained this week in Abbottabad _ the Pakistani garrison town that was bin Laden's last hideout.

They were held briefly before being allowed to return to the capital, Islamabad, police in the northern town said Friday.

Ambassador Uffe Wolffhechel said he asked security officers at a checkpoint on the road to the house whether he and his wife could get in viewing range of it and ``they said 'we are sorry, no,' and we shook hands and said 'have a nice day'.'' More