7:20am UK, Sunday August 03, 2003

The al-Qaeda terrorist network is believed to have issued a new threat to America.

An audio tape said to be of Ayman al-Zawahri, the man considered to be Osama bin Laden's right-hand man, warns the United States that the "real battle" has not started yet.

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Osama bin Laden with right hand man Ayman al-Zawahri

The voice on the tape, broadcast by the Dubai-based Arabic TV station Al Arabiya, also warns Washington not to harm any of the terror suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay, in Cuba.

"America has announced it will start putting on trial in front of military tribunals the Muslim detainees at Guantanamo and might sentence them to death," said the voice, which Al Arabiya identified as Zawahri's.

"I swear in the name of God that the crusader America will pay a dear price for any harm it inflicts on any of the Muslim detainees"

"We tell America only one thing. What you have suffered until now is only the initial skirmishes. The real battle has not started yet," the voice said.

"Let those who conspire with America know that America is incapable of protecting itself...and let every captive held by the infidels be assured that the day of liberation is soon," it added.

George Bush vowed last week to thwart what he said was a "real threat" of new al Qaeda attacks.

His comments came after the Homeland Security Department said al Qaeda was planning new suicide hijackings and bombings in the US or abroad.