Bin Laden Issues New Audio Message

CAIRO, Egypt — Osama bin Laden released a new message on Sunday accusing Arab leaders of sacrificing the Palestinians and calling on Muslim militants in Egypt to help break the blockade of Gaza.

Bin Laden called Arab leaders "agents of the crusaders" and "wolves" in the audio message posted on an Islamic militant Web site where al-Qaida leaders have issued past statements. He portrayed the citizens of Arab nations as herds of sheep who have been handed over to the wolves to look after them.

"Every day, the herd wishes the wolves would stop preying on it," he said.

"Those (Arab) kings and leaders sacrificed Palestine and Al-Aqsa to keep their crowns. ... But we will not be relieved of this responsibility," bin Laden said.

Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City is one of the holiest sites for Muslims.

Al-Qaida leaders are increasingly using the Israeli-Arab conflict in their media campaign to rally supporters. Israel has warned of growing al-Qaida activity in Palestinian territories, although the terror network is not believed to have taken a strong role there so far.

The new audiotape comes just two days after bin Laden's last audio message was released, marking the 60th anniversary of Israel's foundation. He vowed to continue what he called his struggle against the Jewish state.

Israel and Egypt have closed their borders with Gaza since the Islamic militant group Hamas violently seized control of the Palestinian territory in June of last year.

The closure has deepened economic hardship in the impoverished strip where 1.4 million Palestinians live.

"Each one of us is responsible for the death of our vulnerable people in Gaza where scores have died because of the blockade," bin Laden said.

He urged Muslim militants in Egypt to try to end the closure.

"They are the only ones close to its borders and they must work on breaking this blockade," he said.

Comments

[Chuckwheat]

Rove likes to keep us guessing as to when.

[Nyland8]

Advanced word on ObL's upcoming announcement is exactly what we've been expecting. ObL will state, for the record, that he approves of American foreign policy, that it has swelled the ranks of aQ like nothing ever has before, and that he's in favor of more of the same.

Therefore, under Republican rules and for the good of the party, since all fundamentalists are permitted to share delegates as if they see fit, bin Laden is claiming all of Huckabee's delegates, giving them to McCain along with his endorsement, and donating the legal limit to McCains campaign.

Early drafts of his upcoming speech indicate that what he's expected to say will be words to the effect that - " Since your current policies have yet to capture me after more than 6-1/2 years, I'm all in favor of more-of-the-same. And since McCain is your strongest more-of-the-same candidate, he certainly has my fullest support".

Rumor has it that 3 of bin Laden's wives are also supporting McCain's bid, and the rest of al Qaeda is expected to follow with their endorsements soon.

When asked for a comment, a delighted McCain said, " ... well, you can't have too many endorsements, and old ObL certainly has the gravitas to influence a lot of votes - especially among voters involved in the military industrial complex."

8

[scootmandubious]

I can see bin Laden facing the cameras now....att­ired in a soiled top that reads, "my family has a business relationship with George W. Bush and all I got was this lousy t-shirt."

[Aanya]

Bin Laden to issue statement soon, yea, Karl Rove is working on it as we speak!

[nanotubz]

Now we get public service announcements in advance of his message releases. And this guy is suppose to be on the run, and we're suppose to be winning the war on terror. The two just don't jib.

[emmav70]

What's next ?

We are gonna have Bin Laden's tape advertised in the movie theaters 15 minutes before the movie starts ?!

I'm not very fond of conspiracy theories, but this guy really has some "interesting" timings.

[DesertLight]

Ben who?

[gregjones]

GOP theme song:

When a loss is near....an­d you need some fear....wh­o ya' gonna call....BI­N LADEN !

[Sparty1]

Now that was awesome. It's also unfortunate, but oh so true.

[beck]

Wonder if they will use the fat Osama or the one with the Grecian formula beard?

[DesertLight]

Or the AK-47 or the Kalashnikov this time?

[onedivasinger]

Hilarious!!!

[bikerdude]

Osama should be the Republican strategy leader. He did more to elect Bush than the rest of the Republicans. Why, if we have fear in our hearts, would be back a bunch of losers like the Republicans and McBush? With the mightiest military in the history of humanity, we are still at "war" with them and frankly not winning. To me this is like betting on a proven loser.

[damnadamson]

funny how we are getting only audio tapes (qualified by the CIA as legitimate) and a few years ago a grainy tape many believe to be a look alike of osama. as long as that evil doer bin ladin is still free america has to keep fighting in iraq ... right !!! oh wait bush said this a few years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apLVd7_66ds

[fredamae]

ok, then...are these really "New" messages or just "released", old messages prettied up to make us think they are new...i mean..thin­k back folks, isnt this a REPLAY from the '04 and '06 election cycles?...­.the same 'ol, same 'ol...

FEAR is powerful, yes...but KNOWING When to be afraid is Common Sense.

I wonder when the "Terror Alert" lights will change this time? remember those during '04? Remember all the Crap we were fed that had NO foundation????

[maca]

Funny how the republicans keep saying we shouldn't talk to terrorists, yet they continually insist that we LISTEN to them.

[HansB]

Good point!

[jubo]

Nice one.

[eej]

Let me guess:

audio only!

ROFL!!!!!

[biwee]

The Smirking Chimp Bush has worn this one out. If you believe OBL is alive, then you believe in the tooth fairy, and you believe the 911 commission report. Now, what you CAN believe, and should believe, is that Shrub has created a disaster for the USA. Yet, there are still people in the US who refuse to face the FACTS.....­John McCain is one. If you are a simpleton who can not see the truth, then vote Republican.