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ZAWAHIRI URGED PAKISTANIS TO FIGHT US
 Ayman Al Zawahiri, Al Qaeda’s acting leader, has urged, on Tuesday 07/14/2009, Pakistanis to rise up against USA forces, which he said had occupied their country.
The message comes as Pakistani forces continue to battle Tehrik-e-Taleban fighters in the country's Swat District.
Al-Zawahir, in yet another audio posted and broadcasted in the web, referred to the conflict in Pakistan as "the American crusader manipulation of Pakistan's destiny" and warned it could break up the nuclear-armed nation.
"The Americans are today occupying Afghanistan and Pakistan, so it is the duty of every Muslim in Pakistan to rise up to fight them".
Al Qaeda’s acting leader last addressed a message in English to Pakistanis in August 2008, calling for a "jihad" in the South Asian nation (see - Footage 08.11.08).
But many analysts in Pakistan say Al Qaeda has nowadays little influence in the country.
Under heavy US pressure to act, Pakistan's army launched a massive offensive in late April in Buner and Lower Dir, before focusing on fighters in Swat, where the Taliban concentrated a two-year campaign to impose its strict interpretation of shariaa, or Islamic law (see - Swat-Crisis).
Last week, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan's prime minister, unveiled plans to start sending home many of those displaced by the conflict and said the military had "eliminated" the fighters (see - Swat 07.10.09).
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16/07/2009 05:19:22
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