Cairo, Egypt: Al-Qaeda second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has released a new video tape. The video has been posted on an Islamic website, just days before the 5th anniversary of the September 11th terror attack on the World Trade Centre.
The video also features Adam Gadahn, an American convert, who is wanted by the FBI for his links with the al-Qaeda.
In the tape Gadahn has urged non-Muslims - especially in the US - to convert to Islam.
The video, issued by al-Qaeda's production wing As-Sahab, had been advertised on militant websites for several days before it appeared on Saturday.
It was the second time Gadahn appeared in the same video with al-Zawahiri. In a July seven video marking the one-year anniversary of the terror attack on London commuters, Gadahn appeared briefly, saying no Muslim should ‘shed tears’ for Westerners killed by al-Qaeda attacks.
But Saturday's video - and the length of Gadahn's speech - suggested al-Qaeda has found in him someone it believes can communicate effectively with Americans.
Gadahn spoke for nearly the entire video, wearing a white robe and a white turban, sitting in front of a desk with a computer and Islamic religious books in a room with a white wall.
The video included no direct threats of terror attacks.
Gadahn delivered a lecture on Islam and the ‘errors’ in Christianity and Judaism. He also said the US is losing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and told US soldiers they are fighting President George W Bush's ''crusades.''
''Instead of killing yourself for Bush ... why not surrender to the truth (of Islam), escape from the unbelieving army and join the winning side. Time is running out so make the right choice before it's too late,'' he said.
Al-Zawahiri gave only a brief introduction to the video, calling on Americans to convert to Islam.
''To the American people and the people of the West in general ... God sent his Prophet Muhammad with guidance and the religion of truth ... and sent him as a herald,'' he said.
The CIA said it had conducted a technical review on the videotape and concluded the voice is al-Zawahri's. A CIA spokeswoman said the agency is not authorized to conduct such analysis on US citizens such as Gadahn.
White House spokeswoman Christie Parell said the message reflects al-Qaeda's ''continued attempts to subjugate the world under its twisted view of Islam, which labels as enemies and infidels those who do not have the same beliefs.''
Little is known about Gadahn's role in al-Qaeda. A Californian who converted to Islam, he disappeared soon after the September 11 attacks.
In 2004, the FBI announced it was seeking Gadahn in connection with possible terrorist threats against the US, but adding it did not have information linking him to any specific terror activities.
With AP inputs
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