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Al Zawahiri Slams Egyptian Regime In New Tape

(As-Sahab)
Al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al Zawahri launched a scathing attack on what he described as "corrupt" Arab regimes in a new audiotape obtained by CBS News Friday. The tape, which is expected to be released on militant Islamist Internet forums soon, bears the seal of al Qaeda's media wing As Sahab and is etitled "Condolences To Our People in Dweika," in reference to the mountain landslide that crushed the homes of dozens of Egyptians in al Dweika area on the outskirts of Cairo on September 7.

Al Zawahiri focused his criticism on Mubarak's regime, holding it responsible for many of the disasters that befell the Egyptian people. "This disaster, and before that, the disaster of the ferry, Al Salam 98 and all the corruption crimes that are yet to come will never stop, unless we do something to stop them," al Zawahiri said. He was referring to an Egyptian ferry that sank last year.

He also urged Muslims to rebel against the current regimes in Arab countries in general. "My Muslim brothers in Egypt and everywhere, I call upon you during this holy month of Ramadan, the month of jihad and repentance, to renew your covenant with God, to support his religion and not keep silent against injustice, and to fight evil with every possible means in our power," he said. "I pray to God to help us get rid of those rotten regimes that spoilt the faith and the life of the people," he added.

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