An audio recording purportedly from al-Qaida terrorist network leader Osama bin Laden urges European countries to stop helping the U.S. military with the war in Afghanistan.
The Arabic television network Al-Jazeera Thursday broadcast brief excerpts of what it said is a new recording from the fugitive terrorist. On the tape, bin Laden says he is responsible for the September 11th, 2001, attacks on the United States, and that the Afghan people had nothing to do with them.
Bin Laden also says European nations marched into Afghanistan because they are followers. He says, in his words, "the American tide is receding," and he calls on Europeans to stand against Washington and allied governments.
The full message has not been released.
Bin Laden's last recording was released on October 22. In it, he called on insurgents in Iraq to unite.
Bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, are believed to be hiding in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The United States has offered a $25-million reward for the capture of each man.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
