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DUBAI - Al Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri warned Americans of a reprisal "far worse than anything they have seen" unless Washington changed its policies towards Muslim states.
"You are facing the Islamic rage...what awaits you, should you press on (with current policies), is far worse than anything you have seen," Zawahri said in a video posted on the internet today.
Leaders of al Qaeda, which carried out the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in US cities, argue that "terrorism" is justified as a way to change pro-Israel US policies and to punish Washington for its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"I will talk to you in a language you understand; if you want to live safely you have to accept reality and reject the illusions that (US President George W.) Bush is trying to deceive you with," he said in the video.
"If we are struck and killed then, God willing, you would most certainly be struck and killed."
Zawahri said Americans should study "faiths and history as they really are and not as portrayed by the clowns of Bush".
He continued: "You have to try your utmost to reach an understanding with the Muslims, only then you will enjoy security. But if you continue with the policy of Bush and his gang then you won't dream of it."
Zawahri was wearing a white turban and a black robe but he did not have his usual AK-47 assault rifle by his side. Part of the video, which was not dated, was posted earlier this week on the website of the US-based SITE institute.
Zawahri vowed retaliation against Ethiopian troops for helping Somalia's interim government rout rival Islamist.
"The mujahideen will break their backs with God's power and help," Zawahri said, adding that Bush had pushed Ethiopians into "a definite disaster" to be killed in place of US soldiers.
Ethiopia said on Tuesday its forces began leaving the Somali capital. It has said it does not plan to keep its troops in the Horn of Africa country after their mission is completed.
The Egyptian militant urged Palestinians to abandon President Mahmoud Abbas and key aide, Mohammad Dahlan, and said they were "secularists who sold Palestine and are enemies of Islamic law, traitors and agents of America and Israel".
Zawahri said holy war was the only way to liberate Palestinian land.
He also criticised Lebanon's government and politicians who backed a UN resolution ending a 34-day war between Israel and Shi'ite Lebanese guerrilla group Hizbollah in mid-August and beefed up a UN peacekeeping force.
"Those who approved of resolution 1701, endorse the...presence of crusaders in south Lebanon and of the isolation of the mujahideen in Palestine...accepting this resolution is a historic mistake that cannot be justified or apologised for."
He said Muslims should stop their compliance with international law and quit secular organisations and parties to take up arms under the banner of Islam.
Zawahri urged support for fighters in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestinian territories, Somalia, Algeria and the Russian region of Chechnya.
"It is the duty of every Muslim today to carry a weapon or to serve and support those who do so."
- REUTERS
