Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden threatened the European Union with grave punishment last night for publication of cartoons mocking Islam's Prophet Mohammad.
In an audio recording posted on the Internet coinciding with the birthday of Islam's founder, bin-Laden said the drawings, considered offensive by Muslims, were part of a "new crusade" in which Pope Benedict was involved.
A US intelligence offical said the voice on the recording was genuine. "The CIA has done an analysis of it (the message) and it can be said with a high degree of confidence that it is in fact the voice of Osama bin Laden," the official said.
Bin Laden said on the tape: "Your publications of these drawings - part of a new crusade in which the Pope of the Vatican had a significant role - is a confirmation from you that the war continues."
The Saudi-born militant leader said he was addressing "those who are wise at the European Union".
You are "testing Muslims ... the answer will be what you shall see and not what you hear."
It was bin Laden's first message since November 29th when he urged Europe to end participation with US forces in Afghanistan. The message, produced by al-Qaeda media arm As-Sahab in the lunar month which ended on March 8th, carried an animation of a spear piercing through a red map of Europe with blood splashing as its tip penetrated the surface.
It also carried what appeared to be an old picture of bin Laden firing an assault rifle. The message also coincides with the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
The Vatican denounced the accusation that the Pope played a role in a worldwide campaign against Islam as "baseless."
A spokesman said it was not surprising that bin Laden mentioned the Pope in the new tape. But Federico Lombardi said that accusing him of disrespecting Islam and its prophet, Mohammed, was "absolutely baseless."
Agencies