Bin Laden in plea to Muslims on Iraq

US SECRETARY of State Colin Powell told a Senate panel yesterday that what appears to be a new statement from Osama bin Laden shows why the world needs to be concerned about Iraqi ties to terrorism.

Powell said he read a transcript of "what bin Laden or who we believe to be bin Laden" was expected to say on the Al-Jazeera Arab satellite station last night, "where once again he speaks to the people of Iraq and talks about their struggle and how he is in partnership with Iraq."

Al-Jazeera last night said the statement "urged Muslims to show solidarity and defend the Iraqi people."