Mary Jane 49
09-07-2007, 07:53 AM
Bin Laden to release 9/11 message
Terror mastermind Osama bin Laden is preparing to release a video addressing US citizens on the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, monitoring groups said.
The Site Intelligence Group said an internet announcement included a photo of bin Laden from the forthcoming video which showed his beard, which in previous messages had been streaked with grey, was black.
The Intelcenter, which also monitors Islamic websites, said the video was expected within the next 72 hours.
If the video is new and features bin Laden, it will be the first time the al-Qaeda leader has appeared since October 2004, shortly before the US presidential elections.
A banner advertisement for the forthcoming video, written in Arabic, read: "Soon, God willing, a videotape from the lion sheikh Osama bin Laden, God preserve him."
It was signed by Al-Sahab, al-Qaeda's media arm, which usually puts out such announcements one to three days before the video is posted on the internet.
With the silence from bin Laden over the past year, the organisation's number two, Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahri, has been regularly issuing videos and audiotapes.
Last year, al-Zawahri called on Muslims to attack the US for jailing militant cleric Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman.
Site director Rita Katz said bin Laden's beard appeared to have been dyed, a popular practice among Arab leaders.
"I think it works for their benefit that he looks young, he looks healthy," Ms Katz said.
In Washington, officials had no immediate comment on the announcement of an impending video. The Foreign Office also declined to comment.
Terror mastermind Osama bin Laden is preparing to release a video addressing US citizens on the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, monitoring groups said.
The Site Intelligence Group said an internet announcement included a photo of bin Laden from the forthcoming video which showed his beard, which in previous messages had been streaked with grey, was black.
The Intelcenter, which also monitors Islamic websites, said the video was expected within the next 72 hours.
If the video is new and features bin Laden, it will be the first time the al-Qaeda leader has appeared since October 2004, shortly before the US presidential elections.
A banner advertisement for the forthcoming video, written in Arabic, read: "Soon, God willing, a videotape from the lion sheikh Osama bin Laden, God preserve him."
It was signed by Al-Sahab, al-Qaeda's media arm, which usually puts out such announcements one to three days before the video is posted on the internet.
With the silence from bin Laden over the past year, the organisation's number two, Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahri, has been regularly issuing videos and audiotapes.
Last year, al-Zawahri called on Muslims to attack the US for jailing militant cleric Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman.
Site director Rita Katz said bin Laden's beard appeared to have been dyed, a popular practice among Arab leaders.
"I think it works for their benefit that he looks young, he looks healthy," Ms Katz said.
In Washington, officials had no immediate comment on the announcement of an impending video. The Foreign Office also declined to comment.