BEIRUT (AP) _ Al-Qaida’s leader has urged Sunni Muslims to spare no effort to
join the battle in Syria, overthrow President Bashar Assad and set up Islamic
rule in the country.
Ayman al-Zawahri called on Sunnis everywhere to devote their lives, money and
expertise for the fight and prevent a U.S.-allied government from taking over in
post-Assad Syria.
He urged Sunnis to “rise above their differences” and fight expanding Shiite
influence in Syria.
The message came in a new audio recording posted on Thursday on the Internet.
Its authenticity could not be independently confirmed but the message was posted
on a militant website commonly used by al-Qaida.
Al-Zawahri has repeatedly called for holy war in Syria and has blasted Lebanese
Hezbollah militants and Iran for supporting Assad.
