(dpa) - The second-in-command of the al-Qaeda terrorist network, Ayman al-Zawahri, has urged Muslims to strike Jewish and US interests in retaliation for Israel's attacks on the Palestinians, reports said Monday.
Al-Zawahri appealed in an audio message released online by the network's media arm, al-Sahab, for Muslims to prepare themselves by raising money and planning attacks on their enemy.
"Israeli planes are shelling our brethren in Gaza in line with a US decision, an Egyptian blockade and Arab collaboration," al- Zawahiri said.
The Egyptian-born al-Qaeda deputy urged Muslims to stand against the aggression by launching attacks against their enemies everywhere, not just against "Jews in Palestine."
Al-Zawahiri's speech is the second from the al-Qaeda leadership in the last few days. The network's leader, Osama bin Laden, urged Muslims on March 20 to liberate the Palestinian territories by force.
Arab regimes in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are collaborating with the "devil's alliance" of "crusaders" and Jews against the Palestinians and their resistance groups, al-Zawahiri said.
Echoing bin Laden's last message, his deputy urged Muslims to reject Arab leaders' calls to recognize Israel and have a dialogue with its leaders.