UPDATE: Full video added below
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A banner from al Qaeda's as Sahab video hit the Islamic forums yesterday announcing "a happy event". Speculation on the forums was that the video would show Osama bin Laden, a sentiment echoed in this Pravda piece. To the disappointment of Osama's millions of fans, though, the video is actually of al Qaeda #2 man, Ayman al Zawahiri.

Seriously, they're practically in tears with disappointment. On one forum, when it was suggested that no OBL video would be forthcoming, the gnashing of teeth was nearly audible.

I actually rushed to my computer when I heard the Fox News report about the new bin Laden video. Big news, I thought. But wouldn't you know it that my friend Laura Mansfield had the video, before it was released on the forums. Maybe Fox will think about subscribing to her service? Just a suggestion. Anyway, I really appreciate the heads up she gave me.

Laura notes that the video does not reference the London attacks, and is mostly put together from old clips. However, it is subtitled in English.

Laura Mansfield:

The video, entitled “The Advice of One Concerned”, is 1 hour, 34 minutes long, and includes clips from other videos and news broadcasts, including one from Al Furqan, the video production arm of the Islamic State of Iraq.

The video does not reference the London attacks, but appears to be more of a “state of the ummah” style address intended to try and provide advice to the Muslim world in a manner similar to the “fireside chat”.

He provides advice to the people of Iraq, and of Palestine. He reiterates the call for young men to rush to the jihad in Iraq and Afghanistan, and includes a video clip of Sheikh Abdullah Azzam reminding the Muslim ummah that jihad is the responsibility of every Muslim.

He rebukes the mujahideen of Fateh for battling HAMAS, and tells them to “Return to your religion, your Islam, your honor and your Arabness.”

The Blotter, which got it's information from Laura adds:

The video also features a brief clip of Thomas Kean, chairman of the 9/11 Commission, speaking about the security challenges facing the United States. Also appearing on the tape is a clip of Abdul al-Bari Atwan, the editor of a London-based Arabic newspaper. In the clip, from an appearance on an Arabic news channel, Atwan declares that al Qaeda has become stronger since the September 11th attacks and that it is truly an international organization.

Zawahiri also encourages greater support for the Islamic State of Iraq despite it lacking “necessary qualifications”, courts Kurds to join jihad, and lauds Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the deceased Emir of al-Qaeda in Iraq, formerly Tawhid Wal Jihad, for his opening of a path for greater unity in the ranks of Mujahideen by being among the first to pledge to Usama bin Laden and join al-Qaeda. He adds that other groups have also joined the organization, though they prefered that this news not yet be announced, but the declarations will come soon. Iraq is also the launchpad from which Zawahiri launches his diatribe against Saudi Arabia, using aforementioned evidence to warn that Iraq will fall if the Saudis gain significant influence in its politics.

So, will Pakistan ever get serious with al Qaeda? Or is this a hopeful sign that someone has again threatened to bomb them back into the stone age if they didn't go after our enemies and that al Qaeda and their sympathizers are once again on the run in Pakistan?

UPDATE: I now have a copy of the high production value video which has now been released. Just e-mail me for the video.

Update II: Howie has uploaded a medium sized copy to Google Video Here. Embedded copy below the fold

Update III by Vinnie: Zawahiri, dude, I just came back from blowing up hundreds of dollars of fireworks while simultaneously downing a beer or ten. Why you want to harsh my mellow? It's not like you're going to win this war. Go back to your cave, shut your f*cking mouth, and let us enjoy our holiday for once.

F*cking moron.

UPDATE IV by Rusy 7/05/07: Video still below. Thanks to Charles "blogfather" Johnson for the link and welcome fellow lizaraoid minions who (for the newbies) will be happy to know that I started out in LGF's comments section way back when.

For complete blog reaction to the video, check out Stop the ACLU.

Update by Howie: Higher quality copy with more legible subtitles here. I don't know why old callous head does this. As Laura Mansfield recently pointed out to me, Zawahiri speaks fairly fluent English.

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