'We have to take Osama at his word'

FOR clues to where the al-Qaida network could strike next, the words of its leader, Osama bin Laden, are a treasure trove. And for an insight into its strength, the suicide bombers in Riyadh offer a lesson.

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 yesterday.

Qatar based Al-Jazeera said the voice on the tape was bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahri who called on Muslims to imitate the September 11 attacks on the US.