Al Qaeda warns Britain and US of more attacks

DUBAI - Al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri has warned Britain and the United States of more attacks, singling out London for the first time since suicide bombings on its transport system killed 52 people.

Zawahri, in a video aired by Al Jazeera television, said Prime Minister Tony Blair's policies would bring more "destruction" to London, which was rocked by July 7 attacks on underground trains and a bus.

Osama bin Laden's deputy also repeated previous threats against the United States, saying it and other Western nations would not live in peace until they withdraw their troops from Iraq and other Muslim countries.

"Blair's policies brought you destruction in central London and will bring you more destruction," said Zawahri who stopped short of directly claiming responsibility for the London blasts.

At least two groups linked to al Qaeda have claimed responsibility for the London bombings.

"What you have seen in New York, Washington and Afghanistan, are only the initial losses," Zawahri said, referring to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States for which al Qaeda claimed responsibility.

"Our message to you is clear, strong and final: There will be no salvation until you withdraw from our land, stop stealing our oil and resources and end support for infidel, corrupt (Arab) rulers," he added.

"If you continue the same hostile policies you will see something that will make you forget the horrors you have seen in Vietnam," he added.

President George W. Bush dismissed Zawahri's threats, saying the United States would stand its ground in Iraq.

"The comments by the number two man of al Qaeda make it clear Iraq is a part of this war on terror, and we're at war," he told reporters at his Texas ranch.

"People like Zawahri have a ideology that is dark, dim, backwards."

The tape appeared recent. Zawahri, wearing a black turban and a white robe, looked older than in previous tapes.

US intelligence officials had yet to complete a formal analysis of the tape's audio and visual content. "But the clear assumption is that it is indeed him," a US official said. "There's never been a fake tape."

Zawahri last appeared in a video aired by Al Jazeera in June in which he called for an armed struggle to expel "crusader forces and Jews" from Muslim states and said peaceful change was impossible.

- REUTERS