Islamic extremists reiterate threat to Europe

A statement said to be from an al-Qaida-linked group has threatened to destroy European cities and “create waterfalls of blood” because the continent failed to respond to Osama bin Laden’s peace offer.

The statement dated yesterday and posted on the internet in the name of Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades condemns Europeans for not withdrawing their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan within three months, as bin Laden demanded on April 15.

“Today, we have declared a bloody war against you. We will not stop our attacks until you have come to your senses,” the statement said.

There was no way to verify the authenticity of the statement which surfaced on an Islamic website known for its extremist content.

US officials and some terrorism experts believe Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, which claimed responsibility for the Madrid train bombings that killed about 200 people in March, lacks credibility and has only tenuous ties to al-Qaida.

It has issued claims for events in which it almost certainly had no involvement, including power cuts in North America and Britain.

The statement singled out Italy, to whom Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades addressed an earlier threat this week.

The latest statement said Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi should “wait for us Berlusconi, you and your allies and supporters. Wait for our menace that we declared against you earlier, and are now declaring against all of Europe”.

“We will create waterfalls of blood that will drag you to their depths. You have condemned your people to that. The infidel Europe has done the same to its people by following America. We will destroy European cities, starting by you, Berlusconi,” the statement said.

“The cities will bleed until all of you, European leaders and people, come to your senses. Withdraw your deadly missions from Iraq.”

In an audiotape on April 15, bin Laden said he was calling a truce for three months and urged European states to leave Iraq, Afghanistan and other Muslim countries within that period or risk a terror campaign.