Al-Qaida in Iraq sends low-key message

BAGHDAD, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Al-Qaida in Iraq sent what appeared to be a low-key message to U.S. President-elect Barack Obama.

The videotape, released on Jihadist Web sites, claims to be from Abu Umar al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, the BBC reported. U.S. military spokesmen said Friday that Baghdadi is an actor who serves as a front for the group.

On the tape, Baghdadi calls on the United States and its allies to withdraw from Afghanistan and Iraq and to release Muslim prisoners. But he also pledges to keep supplying oil if the United States achieves "impartiality."

"We promise that we will not stop the trading of oil or other commodities with you, provided that justice is achieved," the message said.

In 2004, Osama bin Laden released a videotape before the U.S. election denouncing President George W. Bush. This time, the group kept quiet, raising fears that its message might come in the form of a terrorist attack.