Al-Qaeda threatens Europe
2004-07-02 14:08
Dubai - A purported al-Qaeda statement has threatened attacks in Europe if there is no response to a truce offer by Osama bin Laden that expires on July 15, the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Friday.
"To the European people... you only have a few more days to accept bin Laden's peace offer or you will only have yourselves to blame," said the statement carried by the Arabic daily and attributed to the "Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades".
The authenticity of the statement could not be immediately verified.
On April 15, the terror chief offered peace to European countries that refrain from aggression towards Muslims and those that pulled their troops out of the Muslim world within three months from its announcement.
Bin Laden's taped message, broadcast by the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television, said that for all European countries that accept the offer, "peace will come into force with the departure of (their) last soldier from our countries."