Zawahri warns Britain, US of more attacks

Al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri has warned the United States and Britain of more attacks, singling out London for the first time since suicide bombings on its transport system killed 52 people.

Mr Zawahri, in the video aired by Al Jazeera television yesterday, said British Prime Minister Tony Blair's policies would bring more "destruction" to London, which was rocked by July 7 attacks on underground trains and a bus.

Osama bin Laden's deputy also repeated previous threats against the United States, saying it and other Western nations would not live in peace until they withdraw their troops from Iraq and other Muslim countries.

"Blair's policies brought you destruction in central London and will bring you more destruction," said Mr Zawahri who stopped short of directly claiming responsibility for the London blasts.

At least two groups linked to al Qaeda have claimed responsibility for the London bombings.

"What you have seen in New York, Washington and Afghanistan, are only the initial losses," Mr Zawahri said, referring to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States for which al Qaeda claimed responsibility.

"Our message to you is clear, strong and final: There will be no salvation until you withdraw from our land, stop stealing our oil and resources and end support for infidel, corrupt (Arab) rulers," he added.

"If you continue the same hostile policies you will see something that will make you forget the horrors you have seen in Vietnam," he added.

President George W. Bush dismissed Mr Zawahri's threats, saying the US would stand its ground in Iraq.

"The comments by the number two man of al Qaeda make it clear Iraq is a part of this war on terror, and we're at war," he told reporters at his Texas ranch.

"People like Zawahri have a ideology that is dark, dim, backwards."

Mr Zawahri said the US was lying about its losses in Iraq as it had in Vietnam and called on Washington to immediately withdraw its troops.

"There is no way out for Washington except by immediate withdrawal. Any delay in this decision means more killing and losses. If you don't withdraw today you will inevitably withdraw tomorrow, but only after tens of thousands are killed and injured."

The tape appeared recent because the London bombings took place in July. Mr Zawahri, wearing a black turban and a white robe, looked older than in previous tapes.

He said Western nations would not live in peace as long as they ignored a truce offer made by bin Laden in April last year.

"To the people of the crusader coalition... our blessed Sheikh Osama has offered you a truce so that you leave Muslim land. As he said, you will not dream of security until we live it as a reality in Palestine and until all your infidel armies leave Prophet Mohammad's lands," he said.

Mr Zawahri last appeared in a video aired by Al Jazeera in June in which he called for an armed struggle to expel "crusader forces and Jews" from Muslim states and said peaceful change was impossible.

Thousands of police took to the streets yesterday to reassure jittery Londoners as al Qaeda warned there would be more attacks.

The Piccadilly underground railway line was fully operational for the first time since four British Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 people on three trains and a bus on July 7.

Offering an intriguing glimpse into the investigation, New York police chief Raymond Kelly said the bombs were made from simple ingredients like hair bleach. Three of them were set off by mobile phones, he said.

According to US media reports, he said the explosives were stored in refrigerators and then shipped in coolers to a railway station outside London where the bombers took a train to the capital.

His briefing, partly based on information from New York officers sent to London to monitor the police inquiry, was the first detailed account of the methods used by the bombers.

Undercover officers mingled with commuters yesterday trying to spot would-be bombers while the massive coverage by uniformed officers was designed to make people feel safer.