Full text of Osama bin Laden's statement

'We ask God to make us defeat infidels'

This is the full text of the statement attributed to Osama bin Laden, released to the Arabic news network al-Jazeera and translated by CNN:

"To our Muslim brothers in Pakistan, peace be upon you.

"The news of the death of our brother Muslims in Karachi while expressing their opposition to the crusade of American forces and their allies on Muslim lands Pakistan and Afghanistan has reached us with great sorrow.

"We ask God to accept them as martyrs and to join them with the prophets, the caliphs and the martyrs and those of goodwill and to provide for their families. Those who left behind children are my children and I will, God willing, take care of them.

"It's not a surprise that the Muslim nation in Pakistan will die defending Islam. It is considered on the front line of defending Islam. As Afghanistan was on the front line of defending itself and Pakistan during the Russian invasion more than 20 years ago.

"We hope that these brothers will be the first martyrs in the battle of Islam in this era against the new Jewish and Christian crusader campaign that is led by the Chief Crusader Bush under the banner of the cross.

"We tell our Muslim brothers in Pakistan to use all their means to resist the invasion of the American crusader forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"I convey to you good news my beloved brothers that we are steadfast in the way of jihad following in the footsteps of the prophet – peace be upon him – with the believing heroes, the people of Afghanistan and under the leadership of our prince, the warrior Mullah Mohammed Omar.

"We ask God to make us defeat the infidels and the oppressors and to crush the new Jewish-Christian crusader campaign on the land of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"If God allows you to win, there will be no defeat; if he chooses that you will be defeated, nothing will allow you to win. Therefore, you must depend on God.

"Your brother in Islam,

(signed) Osama bin Mohammad bin Laden."

- INDEPENDENT