Zawahiri Confirmed as New Al-Qaeda Leader

Al-Qaeda has confirmed 59-year-old Ayman al-Zawahiri to be their new leader. The news comes six weeks after US troops found and shot the former amir [leader], Osama Bin Laden.

The statement released from the al-Qaeda general in command promised to continue the fight against Israel and the US. The spokesman also showed support for their new leader.

Mr Zawahiri, was Bin Laden’s deputy for several years and was believed to be the brains behind the 9/11 attack.

Confirmation of his promotion has been highly anticipated. In recent years, he has appeared in a number of videos and audiotapes, becoming a powerful figure in the organisation.

In a recent video message, Mr Zawahiri praised his former leader.

“The sheikh has departed, may God have mercy on him, to God as a martyr and we must continue on his path of jihad to expel the invader for the land of Muslims and to purify it from injustice.”

He later added:

“Today and thanks be to God, America is not facing an individual or a group, but a rebelling nation, which has awoken from its sleep in jihadist renaissance.”

The BBC's Middle East correspondent, John Leyne, believes that Mr Zawahiri will now take advantage of the rebellions in the Middle East to help support his fight. In a statement, the new al-Qaeda leader praised the Arab uprising and urged protesters to focus their anger on the “corrupt regimes of the West”.

With the death of the Africa al-Qaeda chief earlier this month, the continual fight against terror has been reinforced. Fazul Abdullah Mohammed had a bounty of $5m on his head following his suspected involvement in the 1998 US embassy bombing which killed 224 people. Mr Mohammed, alongside another militant leader, was shot in Somalia’s capital, supplying a major blow to the organisation.

However, with confirmation of their new leader, al-Qaeda has aimed to make a powerful statement and reinsert their influence within the war.

By Catherine Rees

[Image courtesy of Seth Anderson]