Osama Bin Laden Reappears and Threatens France

Osama Bin Laden warned France in an audiotape broadcast by Al Jazeera television saying that the country would face killings and kidnappings if it does not withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

Bin Laden also justified the kidnapping of five French citizens in Niger last month, saying that France mistreated their Muslims too.

“The equation is very clear and simple: as you kill, you will be killed; as you take others hostages, you will be taken hostages; as you waste our security we will waste your security,” Al Qaeda leader said.

France has about 3,750 troops in Afghanistan, making it the fourth biggest contributor to the international military mission.

“If you unjustly thought that it is your right to prevent free Muslim women from wearing the face veil, is it not our right to expel your invading men and cut their necks?” Mr. Bin Laden asked.

The French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, described as “unacceptable” the threats against France from the leader of Al Qaeda, and announced that the “level of vigilance” in France is “extremely high.”

Source: The New York Times