Al Qaeda's Zawahiri Threatens More Attacks on USA, West (updated)

By Jeffrey Imm

UPDATE: Laura Mansfield has a full transcript on her website.

Al-Jazeera has released additional excerpts from Al Qaeda deputy Ayman Al Zawahiri's videotaped message:

Earlier excerpts of Zawahiri's message referenced Hamas and Palestinian government, calling for a renewal of Jihadist activity and Islamism in Palestinian government.

In the latest excerpts of his message, Zawahiri renewed threats against the United States and the West, and also referenced the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Threats Against US and West:
"If we are attacked in our land we shall not stop attacking you in your countries, God willing..." and "As our emir Sheikh Osama bin Laden, God keep him, said, 'Like you bomb, you will be bombed, and like you kill, you will be killed".

Regarding Afghanistan and Iraq:
Zawahiri stated that President Bush was deceiving the American people by telling them he was going after "terrorists" in Afghanistan and Iraq in order to keep them away from the United States. "Your safety lies in the following equation: you will not dream of security until we live secure in Palestine and all Muslim lands," Zawahiri said.
"Both Democrats and Republicans are scrambling to find an exit from the disasters in Afghanistan and Iraq and are still thinking with the same rash mentality and trying to negotiate with some sides to secure your exit but these sides cannot offer you an escape and your attempts will only bring more failure."
"You are not negotiating with the real powers in the Muslim world and you appear to be heading towards a painful round of negotiations, after which you will forced to talks to the real forces..." he said.

Regarding Revival of Islamic caliphate:
"I urge the whole Muslim nation to support this fledgling state as it is, God willing, the gateway for the liberation of Palestine and the revival of the Islamic caliphate." "I also urge all my mujahideen brothers in Iraq to join this blessed convoy to save the Iraq caliphate from the shackles of the crusaders and their agents, the traitors who have sold their faith", and in discussing Palestine, stating that it is "the duty of every Muslim" to recover Muslim land."

Criticizing Iraq Shiite Muslim Leaders (he claims oppose Jihad against US):
"How is it possible that jihad against the Jews in Lebanon is in line with Islam but jihad against Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan is taboo"?

Scope of Zawahiri Message
SITE Institute has provided the banner announced on Jihadist websites on Monday, December 18, 2006, advertising the anticipated Zawahiri message as being entitled: "The Truth of the Conflict Between the Muslims and the Infidels".

Sources:
Zawahiri vows attacks on US, slams Hamas - AFP
Qaeda's Zawahri threatens more attacks on West - Reuters
Zawahri: US must negotiate with Al Qaida

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