Al-Qaeda's No. 2 appeared in a new video posted Friday calling on Americans to embrace Islam to overcome the financial meltdown, which he said was a consequence of the Sept. 11 attacks and strikes in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dr. Ayman al-Zawahri, whose 80-minute recording touched on a number of topics, also slammed Afghanistan's government and said any U.S. gains in Iraq will be temporary.
Zawahri discussed the roots of the U.S. economic crisis. He said it was a repercussion of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States, and that the crisis would continue "as long as the foolish American policy of wading in Muslim blood continues."
"The American economy was afflicted by a downturn and loss of investor confidence in the market following the events of Sept. 11," he said. "The modern economy has been destroyed by the strikes of the mujahedeen (in Iraq and Afghanistan) and usury," he said.
Zawahri then called on the American people to "embrace Islam to live a life free of greed, exploitation and forbidden wealth."
He also dared President George W. Bush to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan and the region. "I tell Bush: the dogs of Afghanistan have yet to eat their fill of the flesh of the Americans," Zawahri said. "I challenge you, if you're really a man, to send the entire American army to Pakistan and the tribal regions."
Discussing Iraq, Zawahri said that U.S. gains are temporary. He also stressed that that Sunni Awakening Councils will not be accepted by the Shiite majority government.
Zawahri also took aim at Egypt's government, blaming it for the blockade of the Gaza Strip because it has kept its border with the territory sealed. "What is the problem if everybody goes on strike in Egypt and announces that they are blockading themselves in their houses until the government lifts the blockade from our brothers in Gaza?" he said.
