AQIM Chief Urges Attacks On U.S., Israeli Interests In North Africa
(al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb )
"O' people of the Maghreb, the Jewish and Crusader interests are spread across your countries and your brothers are appealing to you. Stretch out your hands to the mujahideens and coordinate with them to strike against Jewish and Crusader interests in our countries, with no mercy nor compassion," said Abu Mus'ab Abdel Wadud on the 15-minute tape. "Select your targets carefully, provide your brothers with information, work out your plans serenely and maintain secrecy and silence," he advised.
Abdul Wadud strongly criticized Algerian President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika, and labelled him as a "traitor." He compared him to President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt said he turned a deaf ear to what's happening in Gaza and prevented Algerians from voicing their anger through public protests and demonstrations.
He also slammed the Algerian president over his friendship with Jewish French-Algerian singer Enrico Macias who, according to Abdul Wadud "led a demonstration in support of the Gaza offensive in Paris a few days ago."
He also urged Algerian police and army personnel to repent and follow the example of Lembarek Boumarafi, an army lieutenant who murdered President Boudiaf in 1992.
Abdul Wadud's third message was directed to Mauritanians, who as he said "have an obligation to purify the country from the Israeli presence, strike Jews and shut down their embassy in Nouakchott ."
The statement is entitled "Between the Hammer of the Jews And Crusaders and the Anvil of the apostates." Abdel Wadud's voice was heard over a backdrop composed of a picture of him along with different footage depending on what he was talking about.
AQIM's tape on Gaza comes a day after the release of Osama Bin Laden's statement about the same subject. Almost all top al Qaeda leaders have now spoken out, individually, on the current crisis in Gaza. More messages are expected in the days to come, possibly from senior al Qaeda members Abu Yehya al Libi, Mustafa Abul Yazid and Adam Ghadahn.