The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Dubai

Al Qaeda's second-in-command urged Muslims to keep up attacks on the "criminal" United States and criticised U.S. president-elect Barack Obama for promising to back Israel . Ayman al-Zawahri also warned Obama of failure should he pursue the policies of President George W. Bush , according to a tape published Wednesday by the SITE Intelligence Group, a U.S. organisation that monitors Islamist militant groups. The Egyptian militant also criticised Obama, born to a Muslim Kenyan father, for what he described as turning his back on his Muslim roots.

"The Muslim nation received with extreme bitterness your hypocriticaltstance towards Israel ," he said. "You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand with the enemies of Muslims."

An Obama spokeswoman in Washington said the president-elect's office was not planning to comment.

A U.S. counterterrorism official said Zawahri's message showed that the militant network-which masterminded the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on the United States-was isolated but still a threat.

"The messagetis remarkable chiefly as an additional sign that al-Qaeda is out of touch with so much of the world," the official said.

During a visit to Israel in July, Obama assured Israel and its U.S. Jewish supporters he was a friend who would not press for peace concessions that would compromise its security.

Hailing Israel as a "miracle," he promised staunch support and held only a low-profile meeting with Palestinian leaders in the occupied West Bank.

The audio recording was accompanied by visuals including a picture of Obama wearing a yamaka.

"America, the criminal, trespassing crusader, continues to be the same as ever, so we must continue to harm it, in order for it to come to its senses," Zawahri said, addressing Muslims across the world.