Purported bin Laden tape focuses on Europe

11/29/2007

U.S. allies urged to end their support of war in Afghanistan in audiotape



CAIRO, Egypt (MSNBC NEWS) -- An audiotape purporting to be the voice of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was aired on Al-Jazeera television Thursday, with the speaker urging European nations to end military cooperation with the United States in its war in Afghanistan.

"The American tide is ebbing, so it is best for you to press your leaders to change their policies," the tape said, addressing Europeans and referring to their countries' military contributions in Afghanistan.

The tape said al-Qaida's Taliban allies in Afghanistan had no knowledge of plans for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks that led to the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, where al-Qaida was based.

Al-Jazeera aired two brief excerpts of a few seconds each of the audiotape, which al-Qaida had announced several days ago that it would release soon.

If confirmed by voice experts, it will be the fourth message by the al-Qaida leader this year.

The previous Bin Laden message was released on Oct. 22. The Saudi-born militant then urged unity between Iraq's Sunni insurgents.

This report will be updated as information becomes available.