DOHA, Qatar, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, in a tape aired on al-Jazeera TV Sunday, claims responsibility for the thwarted Dec. 25 bombing of a Detroit-bound jetliner.
In the audio tape, the man claiming to be bin Laden also warns the United States would remain a target until Palestinians are granted independence and better living conditions in the Middle East.
"The United States will not dream of enjoying safety until we live it in reality in Palestine," the tape said, adding: "It is not fair to enjoy that kind of life while our brothers in Gaza live in the worst of miseries."
The authenticity of the tape could not be independently verified, CNN reported.
Bin Laden called suspected terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab a "hero fighter" for his alleged attempt to blow up Delta flight 253 on Christmas Day as it was en route from Amsterdam to Detroit.
Abdulmutallab was "confirming" the message delivered by al-Qaida in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks against the United States, bin Laden said.
