Bin Laden urges Muslims to defend Iraq

An audio message said to be from fugitive militant Osama bin Laden urged Muslims yesterday to fight the United States and Israel and repel any "war of infidels" against Iraq.

The audio tape, broadcast on the al-Jazeera television network, said suicide attacks were important in fighting for the Muslim cause, and warned Arab leaders against giving any support to a war against Iraq.

"We are following with great concern the preparations of the crusaders to launch war on the former capital of Muslims... and to install a puppet government," the statement said.

"Fight these despots. I remind you that victory comes only from God."

US intelligence analysts believed it was bin Laden's voice on the tape, a US official said.

The statement did not express support for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein - it said Muslims should support the Iraqi people rather than the country's government.

"The fighting should be in the name of God only, not in the name of national ideologies, nor to seek victory for the ignorant governments that rule all Arab states, including Iraq," the statement said.

Earlier this month, Saddam said he had no links with al Qaeda. Bin Laden has often criticised Saddam in the past.