Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri tells Muslims to kidnap Westerners
An image grab taken from a video broadcast on Al–Jazeera television December 20, 2006 shows Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri. Egyptian-born Zawahiri frequently speaks for Al-Qaeda in video or audiotapes, some posted on internet sites and others aired by Qatar-based Al-Jazeera.
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri is calling on Muslims to kidnap Westerners to exchange for imprisoned jihadists.
In an undated two-hour, two-part video posted on jihadist websites, al-Zawahiri urged for the abductions as part of a vow not to "spare any efforts" to free Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, the blind Egyptian cleric who masterminded the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, reported CNN.
"God the great and almighty granted us success to capture the Jewish American Warren Weinstein," al-Zawahiri said in the video posted Wednesday, according to CNN.
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"We are seeking, by the help of God, to capture others and to incite Muslims to capture the citizens of the countries that are fighting Muslims in order to release our captives."
According to the Associated Press, Al-Zawahiri also called for support of Syria's uprising and called for the implementation of Islamic Shariah law in Egypt.
"This is the only language which they understand," al-Zawahiri, wearing his customary white turban and robe in the video. "We will keep on seizing more … until we free our captives."
The Daily News Egypt also reported that the terrorist group leader called President Barack Obama a "professional liar."
"Obama must admit he and his allies are standing on the path to defeat, and that Osama bin Laden…and the rest of the Mujahedeen and the Muslim Nation are standing in the victorious path, whether anyone likes it or not."