Qaeda No 2 urges support for Hamas

Al-Qaeda8217;s deputy leader called on Muslims around the world to back Hamas with weapons, money and attacks on US and Israeli interests in a web audiotape on Monday, urging the Palestinian militant group to unite with al-Qaeda8217;s 8220;holy warriors8221; after its Gaza takeover.

The message from Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden8217;s top deputy, marked a major shift by al-Qaeda, which in the past criticised Hamas for a government with the US-supported Fatah faction. The audiotape was clearly made after Hamas8217; takeover of Gaza earlier this month. Its authenticity could not be confirmed, but it was posted on a web forum.

Al-Zawahri urged Hamas to implement Islamic law in Gaza, telling it, 8220;Taking over power is not a goal but a means to implement God8217;s word on earth.8221;