Al-Qaeda deputy leader Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri has urged Muslims to join the resistance in Iraq in a new audiotape posed on the Internet. "I call on all Muslims to hurry to the battlefields of Jihad, especially in Iraq," Zawahiri said in the message posted on the Internet on Tuesday.

"I call upon the Muslim nation to fear Allah's question (at judgment day) about its failure to support its brothers of the Mujahedeen (Jihad warriors), and (urge it) not to withhold men and money, which is the mainstay of a war," he added.

"The situation in Iraq heralds an imminent victory of Islam and the defeat of the crusaders and those who stand under their flag," he added.

Meanwhile, al-Zawahiri criticised Hamas for reportedly being ready for peace with Israel subject to a Palestinian referendum. "As for peace agreements with Israel, they (Hamas) spoke of putting it to a referendum despite considering it a breach of the Sharia (Islamic law)," Zawahiri said. "How can they put a matter that violates Sharia to a referendum?" he asked.

© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)