US government studying Bin Laden tape: report

WASHINGTON: The US government has obtained a copy of the new video tape said to be from Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and is analysing it, a leading American news channel reported on Friday.

The US government is analysing a videotape that appears to show Osama bin Laden, CNN quoted a US official as saying.

The assessment will include whether it is really bin Laden and if the tape is old or new, the news channel quoted an unnamed source as saying.

Earlier an Islamist website said the Al-Qaeda leader would release a video addressing the American people on the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the US.

The announcement of the new video appeared on a website where al-Qaeda's media arm, as-Sahab, frequently posts messages.

It was illustrated with a still photo from the video, showing bin Laden addressing the camera, his beard apparently dyed black.

Asked about the tape Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff did not confirm that a new tape had been received, saying only the US follows a standard procedure to thoroughly analyse any tapes it has received.

"We review it for authenticity, we review it to see when we think it was made, if it's a single tape or a compilation of outtakes. We look to see if there are overt messages or hidden messages," CNN quoted him as saying.

He did say it was not unusual for al Qaeda to release tapes near the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Tuesday will mark six years since the al Qaeda attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.