DUBAI, Sept 14: A radical Algerian Islamist group that has singled out France as its sworn enemy, on Thursday officially placed itself at Al Qaeda’s orders, vowing to support the network’s ‘war on crusaders’ worldwide.

Osama’s right-hand man Ayman al-Zawahri earlier announced that the group — long known to have links to Al Qaeda — was now part of the network, in a video released on the fifth anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks.

Zawahri called on the GSPC to step up its attacks against France, the United States and their allies.

“We pray to God that they will be a thorn in the side of the American and French crusaders and their allies,” he said.

The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), an armed movement which has long been linked to Al Qaeda, formally pledged allegiance to the network’s chief Osama bin Laden in a statement released online.

“Our soldiers are at his call so that he may strike who and where he likes,” said a text signed by the group’s leader Abu Mossaab Abdelwadud, who also vowed to pursue jihad against the Algerian authorities.

Reacting to the tape, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin confirmed that France was in a ‘situation of risk’.

“I have examined all the information we have at our disposal on the question, which confirms there is cause for concern,” he told reporters.

“We must not lower our guard. There is indeed a situation of risk and we must be continually adapting our response. We must be extremely vigilant and attentive — as we have been now for several years,” Mr Villepin said.

France lifted its terrorism alert level to ‘red’, the third highest on a four-colour scale, after last July’s bombings in London.

French terrorism analyst Roland Jacquard said the Al Qaeda recording amounted to a ‘fatwa’, and as such should be taken seriously. Asked whether an attack on France was likely, he replied: “Probably, yes.”

“I hope not, but I think we have the same level (of alert) as in London now. I think that probably they want to make something in the next month or in a few months,” Mr Jacquard said.—AFP