Last update - 00:00 25/06/2007
Al-Qaida leader urges Hamas to implement Islamic rule in Gaza
By The Associated Press and Haaretz Service
Al-Qaida's deputy leader called on Muslims around the world to back Hamas with weapons, money and attacks on U.S. and Israeli interests in a Web audiotape Monday, urging the Palestinian militant group to unite with Al-Qaida's holy warriors after its takeover of Gaza.
The message from Ayman Al-Zawahri, who is Osama Bin Laden's top deputy, marked a major shift by Al-Qaida, which in the past criticized Hamas for being in a government with the U.S.-supported Fatah faction.
The audiotape was clearly made after Hamas' takeover of Gaza earlier this month, marking a rapid response from Al-Qaida's top leadership to the events. Its authenticity could not be independently confirmed, but it was posted on a Web forum where Al-Zawahri has issued messages in the past.
Al-Zawahri urged Hamas to implement Islamic law in Gaza, telling it, Taking over power is not a goal but a means to implement God's word on earth.
"Unite with mujahedeen (holy warriors) in Palestine ... and with all mujahedeen in the world in the face of the upcoming attack where Egyptians and Saudis are expected to play part of it", he added, "suggesting that the two countries intend to attack Hamas to uproot its control of Gaza".
"Provide them (Hamas) with money, do your best to get it there, break the siege imposed on them by crusaders and Arab leaders traitors", Al-Zawahri said, addressing Muslims around the world. "Facilitate weapons smuggling from neighboring countries".
"We can support them by targeting the crusader and Zionist interest wherever we can", Al-Zawahri said.
In a Der Spiegel interview last week, Top Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar was asked if Hamas wants to establish an Islamic state in Gaza.
Zahar answered "of course", but then want on to say that "at the moment we can't establish an Islamic state because we Palestinians have no state. As long as we don't have a state, we will try to form an Islamic society."