BIN LADEN calls for a ‘long war’ against infidels

AL-QAIDA leader Osama bin Laden called for a long war against “infidels and their agents” and warned Muslims that alliances with Christians and Jews would turn them into apostates.

Bin Laden’s remarks came in a recording, parts of which had been aired by Al Jazeera television just one day before US president Barack Obama said he sought a “new beginning” between the United States and the Muslim world in a speech.

“We either live under the light of Islam or we die with dignity... brace yourselves for a long war against the world’s infidels and their agents,” bin Laden said in the recording posted on an Islamist website.

Bin Laden said Obama had planted “seeds of hatred” among Muslims.

His deputy Ayman al-Zawahri called the US president a criminal in another recording on Tuesday and warned Muslims against falling for his polished words.

The comments appeared to be a drive by al-Qaida to pre-empt Obama’s speech to the Muslim world.