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DUBAI, July 29 (AFP): A purported Al-Qaeda statement posted on an Islamist website threatened Europe with a "bloody war" following the expiry of a July 15 deadline set by Osama bin Laden for European states to pull troops out of Muslim countries.
"Today, we declare a bloody war on you. We will not stop our raids until you return to reason," said the statement, signed "Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades - Al-Qaeda".
The authenticity of the statement, published Thursday on the site http://www.islamic-minbar.com/forum/, could not be verified.
"After the expiry of the ultimatum by our sheikh Osama bin Laden ... and because you have not returned to reason, we declare a violent war on you as well as your people ... who, by their silence, support you," it said.
An audiotaped statement issued April 15 by the Al-Qaeda terror chief gave European governments three months to withdraw their troops from Muslim states.
The ultimatum was later authenticated by the US Central Intelligence Agency.
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