Al-Qaeda threatens Europe attacks on Truce Offer expiry
Pakistan Times Foreign Desk Report

DUBAI (United Arab Emirates): A purported Al-Qaeda statement has threatened attacks in Europe if there is no response to a truce offer by Osama bin Laden that expires on July 15, the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported Friday.

"To the European people ... you only have a few more days to accept bin Laden's peace offer or you will only have yourselves to blame," said the statement carried by the Arabic daily and attributed to the "Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades".

The statement, whose authenticity could not be immediately verified, also told Muslims in the West to move to Muslim countries or avoid non-Muslim neighbourhoods in European countries.

"To those Muslims living in the West ... If you can migrate to Muslim countries, do so. He who does not have the means to leave should take precautions by living in Muslim neighbourhoods", the statement said.

On April 15, the terror chief offered peace to European countries that refrain from aggression towards Muslims and those that pulled their troops out of the Muslim world within three months from its announcement.

Bin Laden's Message

Bin Laden's taped message, broadcast by the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television, said that for all European countries that accept the offer, "peace will come into force with the departure of (their) last soldier from our countries."

"I present a reconciliation initiative ... whose essence is our commitment to stop operations against all (European) countries if they promise not to be aggressive towards Muslims or interfere in their affairs, like the American plot against the big Islamic world," said the voice on the tape.

"For those who want peace, we offer it to them. Stop spilling our blood to protect yours," said the voice. "The solution is in your hands!"

European leaders promptly dismissed the apparent offer, saying the idea of negotiating with bin Laden was absurd.

Advice to Muslims

Friday's statement also advised Muslims staying in western countries to stockpile food and be prepared to defend themselves.

A group linked to al Qaeda has vowed to carry out attacks in Europe after a three-month truce offered by Osama bin Laden expires.

Al Qaeda leader bin Laden extended a truce to Europeans if they withdrew troops from Muslim nations and said the offer would last three months.

The truce was offered in an audio tape on April 15.

In-depth

The statement, printed in the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper said: "To the European people...you only have a few more days to accept bin Laden's truce or you will only have yourselves to blame."

The statement is believed to be from the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, which claimed responsibility for the March 11 bombings in Spain.

A British security source dismissed the warning.

"They claimed the Madrid bombings and it clearly wasn't them. It's the sort of thing they say all the time. They're just repeating the same old bile," the source said.

Meanwhile, the United States has urged its citizens in Bahrain to leave the country after receiving "credible" information about attacks in the country.

It has also urged its citizens not to travel to Bahrain.

Two Militants killed in Riyadh Shootout

Meanwhile, one of Saudi Arabia's most wanted militants was killed late Thursday in a shootout with security forces, while another died of his wounds early Friday.

According to an Arab TV, the shooting, around 7:30 pm in a neighborhood in the north of the capital, came only a day after Riyadh announced that another extremist from the kingdom's most-wanted list had been gunned down by security forces.

Two police officers and the second militant were injured in Thursday's shootout. The militants were not named.

The list initially comprised 26 suspects. Officially 14 of them have either been killed or jailed in a massive crackdown in which hundreds have also been arrested.

Osman Bin Hadi, who recently surrendered after Saudi government announce amnesty for surrendering militants, appealed other militants to consider over the amnesty announced by government.

Details

One of the Saudi Arabian government's most wanted men has been killed in a shoot-out with security forces.Another militant died of his wounds early this morning after the gun battle in the north of the capital Riyadh.

The militants have not been named.

Two policemen and a firefighter were injured in the gun battle.The shoot-out came only a day after another extremist from the Kingdom's most-wanted list was gunned down by security forces.

Saudi authorities laid down a list of most-wanted Islamic radicals in December 2003, in the wake of two attacks that left 52 people dead. The list initially comprised 26 suspects.

Total Number of the Killed

Officially 14 of them have now either been killed or jailed in a massive crackdown in which hundreds have also been arrested.

The recent clashes were the first reported incidents of unrest in the country since June 23, when the authorities declared an amnesty for al Qaeda supporters who repented and gave them a month to turn themselves in.

Muslim extremists have staged a wave of deadly attacks in the kingdom since May 2003, more recently targeting Westerners.●