Osama bin Laden’s new audio message released
May 19th, 2011 - 2:01 pm ICT by IANSWashington, May 19 (IANS) An audio message purportedly recorded by Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden shortly before he was shot dead by US commandos in Pakistan has been released, a media report said.
CNN reported that Osama’s audio message is over 12 minutes long.
The audio message starts with a prayer and remarks about anti-government protests and uprisings that swept through several African and Middle East countries earlier this year.
CNN, which could not confirm the authenticity of the audio message, said the Islamic date shows it was recorded between April 4 and May 3.
The message says: “My Muslim Umma (nation), we are monitoring with you this great historic event and we join you with your joy and delight, so congratulations on your victories and may God have mercy on your martyrs. May he cure your injured and grant the release of your prisoners.”
A US official was quoted as saying it was puzzling that Osama would “suddenly join the bandwagon on the uprisings”, long after they began and not mention all the Arab nations in turmoil.
The official said it was a “head scratcher” as to why the Al Qaeda leader did not indicate his support for the unrest against Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, a man whom he didn’t like.
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- Gaddafi blames Al Qaeda leader for unrest - Feb 24, 2011
- Libyan minister quits, diplomat claims genocide (Lead) - Feb 23, 2011
- Gaddafi vows to fight, blames unrest on freed Guantanamo inmates (Lead) - Mar 02, 2011
- Libya to see more anti-Gaddafi demonstrations - Feb 25, 2011
- Gaddafi warns of chaos, blames Al Qaeda for unrest (Lead) - Feb 24, 2011
- Al Qaeda wants to train protesters' children in Tunisia - Jan 16, 2011
- Libyan interior minister quits - Feb 23, 2011
- Al-Qaeda welcomes revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, questions the intentions of the West - Mar 30, 2011
- Al Qaeda steps in as Libyan unrest spreads (Lead) - Feb 24, 2011
- Libyan soldiers 'executed' for refusing to fire at protesters - Mar 08, 2011
- People love me, says Gaddafi as Arab world simmers (Roundup) - Mar 01, 2011
- Gaddafi wandered Tripoli streets in disguise - Aug 24, 2011
- Osama videos show he was active Al Qaeda leader, say US officials - May 08, 2011
Tags: al qaeda, april 4, arab nations, audio message, authenticity, bandwagon, cnn, commandos, god have mercy, libyan leader, martyrs, middle east countries, moammar gaddafi, osama bin laden, protests, qaeda leader, turmoil, umma, unrest, uprisings