Don146;t harm cadre: Qaeda warns US

It was the first audio tape said to be by Zawahri 8212; considered to be Osama bin Laden8217;s right-hand man 8212; since May 2 when another tape sent to an Arabic television also made threats against the United States.

Al Arabiya television gave no other details about the tape.

8216;8216;We tell America only one thing. What you have suffered until now is only the initial skirmishes. The real battle has not started yet,8217;8217; the voice said.

8216;8216;Let those who conspire with America know that America is incapable of protecting itself8230;and let every captive held by the infidels be assured that the day of liberation is soon8230;,8217;8217; it added.

US President George W. Bush vowed last Wednesday to thwart what he said was a 8216;8216;real threat8217;8217; of new Al Qaeda attacks and the Homeland Security Department recently warned the airline industry that Al Qaeda was planning new suicide hijackings and bombings in the United States or abroad.

The US is holding more than 600 people from 42 nations as prisoners at the special camp at the Guantanamo Bay naval base.

The prisoners include nationals from Britain, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan but the US Military has not given a precise breakdown.