Latest Bin Laden Tape Release

In the tape - obtained by the Associated Press news agency - the al-Qaeda leader is said to call for attacks on governments in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Unlike previous recordings allegedly by Bin Laden, this one has a single theme - suicide attacks - the news agency reported.

Since the 11 September attacks, numerous video tapes, audio recordings, facsimiles and other statements have been attributed to Bin Laden, but many are unverifiable. In February 2003, an audio tape purporting to be by Bin Laden called for attacks on US and British targets if Iraq was invaded.


In the latest Arabic language tape, the world's most-wanted man is reported to say: "All of them [supporting countries] have been imposed upon you and jihad against them is your duty. "The United States has attacked Iraq and soon he will also attack Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Sudan," the speaker adds, in a suggestion that the recording was made in recent weeks. It continues: "The attacks in Saudi Arabia and Egypt will be against Islamic movements there."

Voice 'apparently his'

The most recent intelligence on Bin Laden was revealed following the capture of alleged al-Qaeda mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in Pakistan in early March. Investigators believe he kept in contact with Bin Laden through e-mails and hand-delivered messages. They hope items seized during the raid could lead them to Bin Laden.
The latest tape was obtained from an Algerian national who said he had slipped across the border from Afghanistan, where the tape was apparently recorded.

It was translated by an Arabic-speaking Afghan who met Bin Laden years ago and who said the voice appeared to be his, AP said. The recording condemed Muslim governments who have supported the US-led coalition and the global war that has targeted Bin Laden.

Peppered with verses from the Muslim holy book, the Koran, it said: "I ask the Muslim women to join jihad by providing food to mujahideen.

"Elders should pray for us. I am proud of those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam."




© BBC MMIII