Worried Qaeda top brass spits fire

Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden accused Obama of “antagonising Muslims” and said his Pakistan policy has generated “new seeds of hatred and revenge against America.” In the tape broadcast on Al-Jazeera shortly after Obama touched down in Saudi Arabia.

Bin Laden, accused Obama of following his predecessor George W Bush’s policy of antagonising Muslims. “He has followed the steps of his predecessor in antagonising Muslims ... and laying the foundation for long wars,” Bin Laden said, referring to ongoing military offensive against Taliban and Al Qaeda militants in the restive Swat valley in Pakistan.

In another video, Qaeda No 2 called Obama a “criminal” saying his “bloody images” cannot be concealed by “theatrical visits or polished words,” as the US president prepared to deliver a major address in Cairo. Ayman al-Zawahiri called Egyptian officials “slaves” and said they are complicit in turning Egypt into an “station of torture in war on Islam.” Analysts say the message is a sign the group is worried that Obama may sway minds.