Bin Laden’s Deputy to Put Out Message

AP

CAIRO, Egypt — An Islamic militant Web site announced Monday that Osama bin Laden’s second-in-command would soon release a new message addressing the conflict between Muslims and infidels.

The Internet advertisement banner for Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahri, al-Qaida’s No. 2, did not specify when the message would be released or whether it would be a video, an audiotape or text.

The announcement, displayed on a site frequently used by militants, carried the logo of al-Qaida’s media production wing — al-Sahaba — which usually releases videos.

“The truth about the clash between Islam and Infidels, by sheik Ayman al-Zawahri, may God protect him,” said the posting, which showed a picture for al-Zawahri.

The announced message would the 15th time al-Zawahri speaks out this year.

His latest two videos were broadcast in September to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, denounce the reinforced U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon and call President Bush a liar