Al Qaeda threatens attacks if harm comes to US cleric

Al Qaeda's regional wing in Yemen has threatened the United States with more attacks should any harm come to a US born radical cleric wanted dead or alive by Washington, according to an audio tape posted online on Sunday.US officials said in April President Barack Obama's administration had authorised operations to capture or kill Yemen-based Anwar al-Awlaki, a leading figure linked to al Qaeda's Yemen wing, which claimed responsibility for a failed bombing of a Detroit-bound plane in December. That was a failure but tell me, what will success be like, the wing's leader Nasser al-Wahayshi said in an audio recording which appeared on websites often used by Islamic militants. It will inevitably be a disaster for you (Americans), for we are enamoured with the attacks of September 11, he said. Obama, tell your people and do not hide from them the size of the danger that constantly awaits you. Divulge to them the result of the investigations on the cells and the ongoing plans and the targets of the Mujahideen, said Wahayshi, who was once a close associate of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The threats of the United States do not frighten us, Muslims, do not worry about the sheikh (Awlaki), he is in safe hands, Wahayshi said.