Évènement » Bin Laden message: Stop 'aggression' against Gaza
Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has apparently released a new audio message calling for a jihad, or holy war, against Israel for its Gaza campaign.
The 22-minute message contains "an invitation" from bin Laden to take part in "jihad to stop the aggression against Gaza."
The audio message was posted on a radical Islamist Web site which has posted other statements from bin Laden in the past.
CNN could not independently confirm the authenticity of the message, but the speaker's voice was similar to other recordings that bin Laden has made.
While not naming President-elect Barack Obama, bin Laden refers to the future of the United States in the face of the current global economic crisis.
"Now America is begging the world for money and the United States will not be as powerful as it used to be," bin Laden said. "This rapid failing for America was one of the reasons that the Israelis started their attacks against Gaza and just to make use of what's left of the Bush term."
White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the message "demonstrates [bin Laden's] isolation and continued attempts to remain relevant at a time when al Qaeda's ideology, mission, and agenda are being questioned and challenged throughout the world."
He noted that the message also appears to be "an effort to raise money as part of [al Qaeda's] ongoing propaganda campaign."
"The United States promotes an alternative, hopeful ideology while continuing to partner with over 90 countries to pursue terrorists wherever they are," Johndroe said.
type =>Évènement=>