WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- An Islamic Web site posting in which Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's militants declare loyalty to Osama bin Laden has been deemed credible by U.S. officials.
The Sunday posting by the Unification and Jihad group headed by al-Zarqawi, one of the most effective Muslim terror groups in Iraq, promised bin Laden that it would "listen to your orders," CNN reported Monday.
A U.S. intelligence official noted that the pledge is in al-Zarqawi's interest "because it increases his standing to be seen as a senior al-Qaida leader."
Although al-Zarqawi and al-Qaida have sometimes competed for funds and recruits, the intelligence officials said the two groups have long-standing ties, which Sunday's Web posting simply confirmed.
The statement addressed bin Laden as "the sheik" and said al-Zarqawi's movement "badly needed" to join forces with al-Qaida.
"We will listen to your orders," it said. "If you ask us to join the war, we will do it and we will listen to your instructions. If you stop us from doing something, we will abide by your instructions."
