ISLAMABAD (AFP) — A Pakistani television network which aired a video tape of Al-Qaeda deputy chief Ayman al-Zawahiri said on Monday that parts of the tape were withheld because they were too sensitive.
"Some portions of the video were not telecast due to sensitivities and personal attacks," deputy director of the ARY One television network, Mazhar Abbas, told AFP.
"The video tape was given to ARY One television in Islamabad on Saturday and was telecast on Sunday during 5.00 pm regular news bulletin," he said.
In the video Zawahiri accuses Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf of being "thirsty for money and a bribe-seeker," arguing that he is working to support US and Western interests and that he has committed crimes against Muslims all over the world.
Musharraf is facing impending impeachment proceedings by the coalition government led by the parties of slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan Muslim League of former premier Nawaz Sharif.
The US-based IntelCenter, which monitors extremist websites and communications, said that it was "the first official message ever... in which he speaks English".
Zawahiri "calls for the people to support jihad in Pakistan and lists a litany of grievances against the Pakistani government and US involvement there," said IntelCenter.
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