Al-Zarqawi video posted on internet

In a rare video posted on the internet, al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi accused the West and the United States of waging a “crusader” war against Islam, but said Muslim holy warriors were standing firm.

In the past, al-Zarqawi has made statements only through audiotapes posted on the web, although photos of him obtained by the US government have been widely circulated.

The video came just two days after a highly publicised call to arms by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden – on an audiotape played on Arab television – that encouraged Muslims to support his group in its war with the West.

It also came a day after a triple bombing at a resort in Egypt that killed at least 24 people, including 21 Egyptians and three foreigners.

It was not possible to immediately confirm the authenticity of the video, but it was posted on a website that al-Zarqawi’s group often uses to post messages.

Al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian, has claimed responsibility for some of the most high-profile suicide bombings in Iraq, and also for a score of other attacks including hotel bombings last November in Jordan.