Bin Laden Praises Zarqawi In New Tape

Purported 19-Minute Recording From Al Qaeda Leader Posted Online

(CBS/AP)  "Even if we lost one of our greatest knights and princes, we are happy that we have found a symbol for our great Islamic nations, one that the mujahedeen will remember and praise in poetry and in stories secretly and aloud," he said.

The tape comes exactly a week after bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahri issued his own tribute video to al-Zarqawi, extolling him as "the prince of martyrs."

The tributes appear to be part of an attempt by al Qaeda's leadership to tout their connection to al-Zarqawi, who emerged as a hero among Islamic extremists with his dramatic attacks in Iraq and even stole the spotlight from bin Laden and al-Zawahri.

Al-Zarqawi had sworn his allegiance to bin Laden, the terror network's overall leader, but often had tense relations with him and al-Zawahri. In July 2005, al-Zawahri reportedly wrote a letter to al-Zarqawi criticizing his attacks on Iraqi Shiite mosques and civilians, saying they hurt the mujahedeen's image.

The al Qaeda deputy also asked al-Zarqawi for money, according to the U.S. military, which said it intercepted the message.

Al-Zarqawi apparently brushed off the criticism as he continued to attack Shiites, a strategy intended to spark a Sunni-Shiite civil war.

In the new tape, bin Laden addressed "those who accuse Abu Musab of killing certain sectors of the Iraqi people," referring to the campaign of suicide bombings against Shiites.

"Abu Musab had clear instructions to focus his fight on the occupiers, particularly the Americans and to leave aside anyone who remains neutral," bin Laden said.

"But for those who refused (neutrality) and stood to fight on the side of the crusaders against the Muslims, then he should kill them whoever they are, regardless of their sect or tribe. For supporting infidels against Muslims is a major sin."

Bin Laden's mention of "instructions" to al-Zarqawi could be aimed to show the al Qaeda in Iraq leader was under his command.

"I hope it redefines and redirects our campaign against bin Laden," CBS News terrorism analyst Christopher Whitcomb (video) said on CBS News' The Early Show. "We have spent so much time talking about the war in Iraq, this global war on terrorism, that I think sometimes we lose track that it really started with bin Laden, and it has to end there too."

Bin Laden and al-Zawahri are believed to be hiding in the rugged border zone of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"In conclusion, I say that Abu Musab was not just an honor to his tribe, his country and his Islamic nation, but to all mankind, for he embodied the meaning of pride and glory," bin Laden said.