Qaeda's Zarqawi 'sends message' to bin Laden

Iraq's al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi told Osama bin Laden in an audio tape attributed to him that he had suffered only "minor" wounds, denying reports he was seriously injured.

"I think news has reached your ears through the media that I was seriously wounded... I would like to assure you and assure Muslims that these are baseless rumours and that my wounds are minor," the voice on the tape said.

"I am now with the help of God enjoying good health among my brothers and my people in Iraq," it added. The authenticity of the Internet tape could not be immediately verified.

The audio tape followed Internet postings by the group saying Zarqawi was in good health and was back leading operations in Iraq after being wounded.

The Sunday Times newspaper in London reported that said Zarqawi was wounded three weeks ago when a US missile hit his convoy near the northwestern Iraqi city of al Qaim.

Zarqawi is an ally of al Qaeda leader bin Laden. His Al Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in Iraq has claimed responsibility for most of the bloodiest suicide attacks against US and Iraqi forces.