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Osama stress on unity

BAGHDAD: Osama bin Laden has scolded his Al-Qaeda followers in Iraq and other militants, saying they have “been lax” for failing to overcome fanatical tribal loyalties and unite in the fight against U.S. troops. The message of his new audiotape reflected the growing disarray among Iraq’s Sunni Arab militants and Osama’s client group in the country, both of which are facing heavy U.S. military pressure and an uprising among Sunni tribesmen.

In the brief tape played on Monday on Al-Jazeera television, the terrorist leader urged militants to “beware of division ... The Muslim world is waiting for you to gather under one banner.”

He used the word “ta’assub” — “fanaticism” — to chastise militants for putting their allegiance to tribe or radical organisation above the larger fight to overcome American forces.

“My mujahedeen brothers in Iraq, you are a people worthy of praise and flattery. You’ve done well to carry out a glorious duty by fighting the enemy. But some of you have lagged behind in carrying out another glorious duty, which is to unite as one — as God wants,” Osama said.

He warned followers “against hypocritical enemies who are infiltrating your ranks to create sedition among mujahedeen groups.” — AP

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