Bin Laden tape probably genuine: CIA

A TAPE purportedly featuring the voice of Osama bin Laden is most likely authentic, US officials said yesterday.

The speaker said the US-led war in Iraq was the beginning of the "occupation" of Gulf states for their oil and called on Muslims to keep fighting a holy war in the Middle East.

The voice on the audiotape, which was broadcast on Sunday night on the Al-Jazeera satellite channel, referred to recent events including the December 13 capture of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and peace initiatives between Israel and the Palestinians.