BILL CLINTON came within minutes of being killed by Osama bin Laden in 1996 when a bomb was placed under a bridge during a trip to the Philippines, according to a new book.

The then US president was in Manila to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.

Bill Clinton ... saved by ‘‘crackly message’’. Credit:Reuters

The assassination was foiled when the Secret Service picked up coded radio messages using the words ''bridge'' and ''wedding'' - a terrorist's code word for assassination - just as Mr Clinton was on his way to a meeting.

Mr Clinton's route was diverted away from a bridge, which was later found to have been planted with explosives.