'Bin Laden deputy calls for reform by holy war'

In a clear reference to Iraq’s weekend balloting, a statement purportedly made by Osama bin Laden’s top deputy says holy war, not “rigged elections”, is the only path for reform in Islamic nations.

The written statement, said to have been the transcript of an audio taped recording of a speech by al-Qaida number two Ayman al-Zawahri, first appeared on several Islamist internet sites yesterday.

“Reform can’t be achieved under governments installed by the (foreign) occupier through rigged elections conducted under the supervision of the United Nations and protected by B-52s and Apache helicopter rockets,” al-Zawahri said.

“There is no reform except through holy war.”

It was not immediately possible to authenticate the statement. The audio tape itself was inaccessible on several militant websites where it had been posted.

A US intelligence official who was able to access the tape said on condition of anonymity that the voice was believed to be that of al-Zawahri.

Iraq’s Association of Muslim Scholars months ago urged Sunnis to shun the polls because of the presence of US and other foreign troops, while insurgents threatened to kill anyone who voted in last Sunday’s polls, in which Shiites and Kurds turned out in huge numbers.

Islamic militants, led by al Qaida in Iraq terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility for numerous suicide bombings and attacks against polling stations on Sunday.

Al-Zawahri, who is believed to be hiding with bin Laden in remote, mountainous regions along the Pakistani-Afghanistan border, renewed his attack on the United States for invading Afghanistan and Iraq, saying: “America is seeking by every means to fight the Islamic community.”

The undated statement also referred to recent events like Egypt’s December signing of a trade agreement with Israel and the United States.

The deal paves the way for establishing Qualified Industrial Zones where Egypt - which signed a 1979 peace treaty with Israel – can export goods to America duty-free as long as a minimum 11.7 % of their value is made in the Jewish state.

“No reform could be achieved while our (Arab) rulers are pursuing a normalisation policy with Israel to destroy our economy to achieve their personal interests,” the statement said.