Ayman al-Zawahri also warned Obama of failure should he pursue the policies of President George W. Bush, according to a tape published on Wednesday by the SITE Intelligence Group, a U.S. organisation that monitors Islamist militant groups.

The Egyptian militant also criticised Obama, born to a Muslim Kenyan father, for what he described as turning his back on his Muslim roots.

"The Muslim nation received with extreme bitterness your hypocritical...stance towards Israel," he said. "You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand with the enemies of Muslims."

An Obama spokeswoman in Washington said the president-elect's office was not planning to comment.

A U.S. counterterrorism official said Zawahri's message showed that the militant network -- which masterminded the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on the United States -- was isolated but still a threat.

"The message...is remarkable chiefly as an additional sign that al-Qaeda is out of touch with so much of the world," the official said.

During a visit to Israel in July, Obama assured Israel and its U.S. Jewish supporters he was a friend who would not press for peace concessions that would compromise its security.

Hailing Israel as a "miracle", he promised staunch support and held only a low-profile meeting with Palestinian leaders in the occupied West Bank.

The audio recording was accompanied by visuals including a picture of Obama wearing a yamaka.

"America, the criminal, trespassing crusader, continues to be the same as ever, so we must continue to harm it, in order for it to come to its senses," Zawahri said, addressing Muslims across the world.

"Its criminal, expansionist crusader project in your lands has only been neutralised by the sacrifices of your sons, the mujahideen," he said in an audio recording.

Zawahri urged Islamists fighting U.S. forces and those of the Shi'ite-led Iraqi government to stay the course, saying that U.S.-led forces were being routed.

"The American people, by electing Obama, declared their anxiety and fear about the future towards which the policy of the likes of Bush was leading them, and so they decided to support someone calling for withdrawal from Iraq."

In a similar message to Islamists fighting Ethiopian and government forces in Somalia, Zawahri urged them not to stop.

"America is gathering its wounds in Iraq, and Ethiopia is looking for a way out ... don't put down your weapons before the mujahid state of Islam has been set up in Somalia."



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