Zawahri says peaceful reform impossible

Ayman al-Zawahiri

A calm-looking Zawahri also urged Palestinian militant groups not to lay down arms against Israel or take part in parliamentary polls.

"Expelling the invading crusader forces and Jews from our Muslim homes cannot be realised solely through demonstrations and speaking out in the streets. Reform and expelling the invaders from Muslim countries cannot be accomplished except by fighting for the sake of God," Zawahri said.

"We cannot imagine any reform while our countries are occupied by crusader forces which are spreading throughout our land," said Zawahri, wearing a white turban with a rifle beside him.

The tape appeared to be record-ed recently because Al Jazeera television said Osama bin Laden's right-hand man had slammed assaults on women during a May 25 protest in Egypt.

Washington has pressed Arab allies for political and economic reforms, saying lack of freedom had fostered Islamic militancy. President Bush is also pushing for restarting the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.