Zawahiri weighs in

CAIRO, Egypt — An intelligence monitoring center reports that Al Qaeda's No. 2 leader is blaming Barack Obama and Egypt's president for the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The SITE Monitoring Service says the audio statement by Ayman al-Zawahiri was posted on militant Web sites Tuesday.

This is al-Zawahiri's first comment on the crisis since the war began eleven days ago.

In a transcript of the statement released by SITE, he calls the Israeli offensive a "Crusade against Islam and Muslims" and "Obama's gift to Israel" before he takes office.

Al-Zawahiri also calls Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, a "traitor" for keeping his borders closed to Palestinians.

In the message, Zawahiri says: "Be strong and persist in the way of Jihad. The whole Muslim ummah is united with you. We will never stop until we avenge the death of all who are killed, injured, widowed and orphaned in Palestine and throughout the Islamic world. We are at work to carry out the promise of our fighting sheikh Osama Bin Laden (may Allah protect him) who promised that America will not live in peace in their dreams before before we live in peace in Palestine, and until all the forces of the infidels leave the lands of Muhammed."

He makes specific reference to US President-elect Barack Obama as well as to Egyptian President Husni Mubarak: What you are facing today is just occupation and settlement that is limited to one area or one country, but is part of a series in the Crusaders war against Islam. These air strikes are a gift from Obama before he takes office, and from Husni Mubarak, the traitor who is the primary partner in your siege and murder.

We are completing a full translation now.