WASHINGTON, June 30: The United States said on Friday it was ready for a long fight with Osama bin Laden as it studied the new message from the Al-Qaeda leader, which threatened new attacks.

The Central Intelligence Agency has concluded that an audiotaped message attributed to Osama is authentic, an agency official said.

On the tape, Osama hails Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the slain Al-Qaeda leader in Iraq, as a ‘lion of Islam’ and vows that the jihad will continue in Iraq.

“This tape demonstrates that we still have our work cut out for us,” State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli told a press briefing.

“Our reaction would be what it has been in the past, which is that Al-Qaeda remains active, it remains a threat. They’ve suffered, obviously, setbacks — significant setbacks. Most of their leadership has been killed or is in jail.

“Their capabilities have been lessened, but they still remain a threat. The fight against Al-Qaeda and others who practise terrorism is going to be a long one.”

The spokesman reaffirmed the US case that extremist groups are receiving less support, particularly in Iraq.

“The people of Iraq have voted for democracy — or have chosen democracy over violence, have voted with their feet, are participating in a common national endeavour, and that’s bad news for the terrorists.” Mr Ereli added: “We must remain resolute, we must remain committed, we must remain engaged. And that’s certainly what we’re going to do.”

In the tape aired on an Islamist website, bin Laden paid a glowing tribute to Zarqawi, who was killed in a US air strike on his hideout three weeks ago.

Experts said Osama’s reference to Somalia in his latest message shows a desire to present himself as head of a global anti-US jihad which he apparently is unable to run on a day-to-day basis. —AFP