'Zarqawi death gives jihad new momentum'

Dubai, June 12 : Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia hailed their slain comrade in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, in an Internet statement on Sunday, saying the ''martyrdom'' gave fresh impetus to their holy war in the birthplace of Islam.

''Jihad will not stop. Jihad will continue until the day of resurrection ... may this news provide new momentum,'' the statement signed by the al Qaeda Organisation in the Arabian Peninsula said.

The statement could not be authenticated, but it was posted on a Web site frequently used by Islamist militants.

''If it wasn't for God and this man, we would have found (US-led forces) with their tanks and planes inside the Arabian Peninsula, killing and violating sanctities.

''May God accept you as a martyr ... the Islamic nation must be proud of leaders such as you.'' Zarqawi was killed on Wednesday by a U.S. air raid on his hideout north of Baghdad.

The leader of al Qaeda, Saudi-born Osama bin Laden, had declared Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq. Al Qaeda in Iraq vowed today to carry out large-scale attacks, but did not name a successor.

Last week, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah said the kingdom had defeated a violent campaign by al Qaeda militants aimed at toppling the US-allied monarchy and expelling Westerners, from the kingdom -- the birthplace of Islam.

Officials say about 144 foreigners and Saudis, including security forces, and 120 militants have died in attacks and clashes with police since May 2003, when al Qaeda suicide bombers hit three Western housing compounds in Riyadh.

Reuters