Message attacks Pakistani leadership

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- An English-language audio message purportedly from al-Qaida No. 2 leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has urged Pakistanis to support the Jihadi movement.

The message, which CNN reported could not independently be verified for authenticity, came through al-Qaida's al-Sahab production unit and was initially aired on Pakistan's ARY channel.

Speaking in English, the terrorist group's second in command is heard saying, "Let there be no doubt in your minds that the dominant political forces at work in Pakistan today are competing to appease and please the modern day crusaders in the White House and are working to destabilize this nuclear-capable nation under the aegis of America," CNN reported, adding it was not clear when the video was recorded.

The speaker is heard saying he was speaking in English to "directly" address the Pakistanis, although most speak local languages.

A $25 million reward has been offered for Zawahiri, an Egyptian doctor.

The CNN report quoted Ben Venzke, head of IntelCenter, a Washington company which monitors and analyzes militant messages, as saying it is the first such message in which the terrorist leader speaks English.

"Don't allow the fruits of the victory achieved through the sacrifices of the mujahedin fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq and the tribal belt of Pakistan to be hijacked by the politicians …," said the message.