Al Qaida’s number-two leader today warned that the terrorist group would not stand idly by while “these (Israeli) shells burn our brothers” in Lebanon and Gaza.

Osama bin Laden’s deputy today urged all Muslims to take up arms and wage jihad against “the Cross and Zionism”.

An audio tape said to be of Osama bin Laden’s top aide urging attacks on British and US diplomatic missions and businesses was played on Gulf satellite TV station al-Jazeera today.