Al Qaeda's deputy leader, Ayman al Zawahri, has released a web message condemning the cartoons allegedly mocking Islam.

Zawahri is thought to be hiding with al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

In his latest message Zawahri said the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed were part of a "crusader" campaign led by the USA.

Part of the audio message calls the pictures "an example of the hatred of the crusaders led by America".

The authenticity of the tape could not be verified immediately but it was posted on a website used by Islamist groups...