As “the prophet of Islam in Iraq,” confronting crusaders and apostates. And he sounds some familiar and oft-sounded themes. From AP:
CAIRO, Egypt – The Al-Jazeera network broadcast a video by al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri on Friday in which he spoke about Palestinian and Egyptian politics and the situation in Darfur.
The tape apparently was made before the announcement that Iraq’s most-wanted terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed Wednesday by a U.S. airstrike. Al-Zawahri praised the al-Qaida in Iraq leader’s efforts to confront U.S.-led forces in Iraq.
“God bless the prophet of Islam in Iraq, the persistent hero of Islam, the Holy Warrior Abu Musab al-Zarqawi,” al-Zawahri said.
He also sent greetings to the Shura Council of Mujahedeen in Iraq and insurgents, “who are confronting crusaders and their apostate aides and the merchants of religion.”…
Al-Zawahri urged Muslims to reject a referendum proposed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“I call on Muslims to reject any referendum on Palestine, because Palestine is a house of Islam and not subject to any compromise,” he said.
“I call upon Muslims everywhere to support the brothers in Palestine,” he said, mentioning armed Islamist militants, prisoners and their families.