Al-Qaeda Threatens 'America's Lackey's'

A statement from an Al-Qaeda affiliated group has threatened "America's lackeys" with attacks similar to those in Madrid last week, singling out Japan, Italy, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Pakistan, an Arab daily reported in its Thursday edition.

"To America's lackeys we say: a lackey of America has destroyed his future by allying himself with the tyrant of the century," the text said.

"Jose Marie Aznar will be chucked into the dustbin of history," said the statement, referring to the Spanish prime minister who was swept out of power in general elections last Sunday.

"Learn your lesson, you lackeys of America, the brigades of death are at your gates," it warned. "We will strike you with an iron fist, at the appropriate place and time," said the statement, condemning "Arab and Muslim lackeys like Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the Al-Saud family which rules Saudi Arabia."

"Our brigades are now preparing for a fresh strike. Will it be the turn of Japan, America, Italy, Britain, the Al-Sauds, Australia ...?" it warned.

The authenticity of the statement, which followed last week's train bombings in Madrid that killed 201 people and were claimed by the same group, could not be confirmed.