Qaeda's Zawahri urges Iraq insurgents to unite

Dubai, Dec 31: Al Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahricalled on insurgents in Iraq to unite, and urged Palestinian Islamistsnot to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority, according to a Webaudio tape posted today.

''O mujahideen brothers in Palestine ... the traitor secularists(Palestinian Authority) cannot be your brothers, do not give themlegitimacy or take part in their assemblies which are opposed toIslamic principles,'' said the speaker on the tape who sounded likeZawahri.

''I send congratulations to the leader of the Islamic State inIraq, the mujahid sheikh Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, and all the brave jihadigroups ... invite them to unite,'' the speaker said.

The authenticity of the tape could not be verified, but it wasposted on Web sites used by al Qaeda and other insurgent groups in Iraq.

Baghdadi heads the so-called Islamic state announced by al Qaedaand several other Sunni militant groups in Iraq in October. A number ofinsurgent groups have not joined it.

Zawahri has often criticised the Islamist Hamas movement for intotaking part in elections, saying it would eventually lead to therecognition of Israel. Palestinian officials have rejected what theysee as his interference in their affairs.

In a video issued earlier in December, Zawahri vowed that al Qaedawould continue to target the United States and other Western countriesso long as Muslims are under attack.

Reuters