New al Qaeda threats

Statement claims al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is alive and in good health

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- In a new audio statement, a man claiming to be an al Qaeda spokesman said that the organization has regrouped and will expand its war to include assassinations and attacks on "the enemy's weak infrastructure."

A recording posted on an Islamist Web site claims to be from Abu-Leith al-Libi -- the same name as a man who was once al Qaeda's spokesman, but who has not been heard from since before the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

The two-minute, 29 seconds tape was broadcast on Dubai-based Middle East Broadcasting Company, which said it obtained the audio off the Islamist Web site. MBC said the site is connected to al Qaeda, and the network told CNN it was alerted to that Web site.

CNN has no way of verifying the authenticity of the statement.

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

The speaker also claims four of the most wanted men in the world -- al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and bin Laden spokesman Sulaiman abu Ghaith -- are alive and in good health.

Late last month, an audiotape from Abu Ghaith hinted at the release of a new bin Laden videotape, saying he "will soon appear on television screens."

But in that audiotape, which was played on the Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV network, Abu Ghaith never mentions a date for the bin Laden tape's release.

In a reference to possible future attacks by al Qaeda on U.S. targets, it said that "Americans should fasten their safety belts."

Abu Gheith has warned of the death of up to 4 million Americans, including 1 million children, through the use of chemical and biological weapons.

Previous statements from al Qaeda appeared from time to time on a Web site called www.alneda.com. The site, which experts suspect is closely linked to al Qaeda, also posted manifestos signed "al Qaeda jihad," in which it says bin Laden is alive and well and preparing future attacks against the United States.

It also claimed responsibility for recent suicide attacks on a busload of French engineers in Karachi, Pakistan, and on a synagogue in Tunisia.

One of the statements even taunted U.S. intelligence, saying: "We dare you to get anything useful from Abu Zubaydah." Abu Zubaydah is a high-ranking al Qaeda member captured in Pakistan. The United States has interrogated him at an undisclosed location. (More on Zubaydah)