Bin Laden warns Iraq Sunnis not to fight

[Gunny]

By SALAH NASRAWI, Associated Press Writer
Sun Dec 30, 6:58 AM ET

CAIRO, Egypt - Osama bin Laden warned Iraq's Sunni Arabs against fighting al-Qaida and vowed to expand the terror group's holy war to Israel in a new audiotape Saturday, threatening "blood for blood, destruction for destruction."

Most of the 56-minute tape dealt with Iraq, apparently al-Qaida's latest attempt to keep supporters in Iraq unified at a time when the U.S. military claims to have al-Qaida's Iraq branch on the run.

The tape did not mention Pakistan or the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, though Pakistan's government has blamed al-Qaida and the Taliban for her death on Thursday. That suggested the tape was made before the assassination.

Bin Laden's comments offered an unusually direct attack on Israel, stepping up al-Qaida's attempts to use the Israeli-Arab conflict to rally supporters. Israel has warned of growing al-Qaida activity in Palestinian territory, though terror network is not believed to have taken a strong role there so far.

"We intend to liberate Palestine, the whole of Palestine from the (Jordan) river to the sea," he said, threatening "blood for blood, destruction for destruction."

"We will not recognize even one inch for Jews in the land of Palestine as other Muslim leaders have," bin Laden said.

In Iraq, a number of Sunni Arab tribes in western Anbar province have formed a coalition fighting al-Qaida-linked insurgents that U.S. officials credit for deeply reducing violence in the province. The U.S. military has been working to form similar "Awakening Councils" in other areas of Iraq.

Bin Laden said Sunni Arabs who have joined the Awakening Councils "have betrayed the nation and brought disgrace and shame to their people. They will suffer in life and in the afterlife."

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said bin Laden's tape shows that al-Qaida's aim is to block democracy and freedom for all Iraqis.

"It also reminds us that the mission to defeat al-Qaida in Iraq is critically important and must succeed," Fratto said. "The Iraqi people — every day, and in increasing numbers — are choosing freedom and standing against the murderous, hateful ideology of AQI. And we stand with them."

more ... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071230/ap_on_re_mi_ea/bin_laden_tape

This guy needs to be put out of his misery.

 

[doniston]

This guy needs to be put out of his misery.

He was, years ago. but isn't it strange that in his pictures he is getting much younger, and healthier? Does that make a bit of sense????

 

[Toro]

He was, years ago. but isn't it strange that in his pictures he is getting much younger, and healthier? Does that make a bit of sense????

He got a gym membership for Christmas.

 

[JimH52]

He got a gym membership for Christmas.

Or maybe since Michael Jackson is in the region he has give Bin Laden a few tips on plastic surgery. Hey, there could be lots of reasons!

It doesn't matter so much anymore about this guy. gw lost him in the mountains of Aphganistan. I doubt we will ever see him again. It is his organization that we need to be concerned about.