Al-Qaeda warns Britain

2005-08-04 14:36

Cairo - Al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri threatened more destruction in London, saying in a videotape broadcast on Thursday that British Prime Minister Tony Blair would be to blame.

"Blair has brought to you destruction in central London, and he will bring more of that, God willing," al-Zawahri said in the tape, which was broadcast on the pan-Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera. He was blaming Blair for the bombings on three London subway trains and a bus on July 7 that killed 56 people.

Referring to the Western nations who have contributed troops to the United States-led multinational force in Iraq, he said: "As to the nations of the crusader alliance, we have offered you a truce if you leave the land of Islam.

"Hasn't Sheik Osama bin Laden told you that you will not dream of security before there is security in Palestine and before all the infidel armies withdraw from the land of Muhammed," al-Zawahri, added referring to the leader of the al-Qaeda network, bin Laden.

"Instead (of accepting the truce), you spilled blood like rivers in our countries and we exploded the volcanoes of wrath in your countries."

He did not name any countries apart from Britain, but he appeared to be referring to the terror attacks in Madrid, Spain, last year that were linked to al-Qaeda.

"Our message is clear: you will not be safe until you withdraw from our land, stop stealing our oil and wealth and stop supporting the corrupt rulers," al-Zawahri said.

- AP