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Version 4 Version 5
'No new threat on Bin Laden tape' 'No new threat on Bin Laden tape'
(40 minutes later)
There is "no overt threat" to the US on a new video tape which purportedly shows al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, officials have told US media.There is "no overt threat" to the US on a new video tape which purportedly shows al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, officials have told US media.
Date references suggest it may have been made as recently as this summer, officials studying the tape said.Date references suggest it may have been made as recently as this summer, officials studying the tape said.
An Islamist website had earlier announced a tape would be released to coincide with the sixth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks.An Islamist website had earlier announced a tape would be released to coincide with the sixth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks.
Bin Laden has not been seen in a video since October 2004.Bin Laden has not been seen in a video since October 2004.
He did appear in footage on a militant website in July this year but the clip was undated and correspondents said it might be re-run footage.He did appear in footage on a militant website in July this year but the clip was undated and correspondents said it might be re-run footage.
US intelligence officials have yet to confirm the authenticity of the latest tape.US intelligence officials have yet to confirm the authenticity of the latest tape.
Website photographWebsite photograph
The Islamist website which announced the tape's intended release often carries messages from al-Qaeda's media arm.The Islamist website which announced the tape's intended release often carries messages from al-Qaeda's media arm.
Ayman al-Zawahiri appears in a greater number of videos
Media reports said the video would probably be aired within 72 hours.Media reports said the video would probably be aired within 72 hours.
The site included a photograph which appeared to show Bin Laden had aged compared with previous pictures - although his beard looked dark rather than greying. Al-Qaeda is focusing on targets that would produce mass casualties, dramatic destruction and significant economic aftershocks Michael Hayden, CIA director The site included a photograph which appeared to show Bin Laden had aged compared with previous pictures - although his beard looked dark rather than greying.
Correspondents say a new video would serve to dispel persistent rumours that the al-Qaeda leader has died.Correspondents say a new video would serve to dispel persistent rumours that the al-Qaeda leader has died.
The US Department of Homeland Security said it had no credible information of an imminent threat in the wake of the video announcement.The US Department of Homeland Security said it had no credible information of an imminent threat in the wake of the video announcement.
Deputy state department spokesman Tom Casey said: "I don't think that anything he is likely to say or do is going to change our resolve or the resolve of our international partners to confront extremism."Deputy state department spokesman Tom Casey said: "I don't think that anything he is likely to say or do is going to change our resolve or the resolve of our international partners to confront extremism."
Al-Qaeda is focusing on targets that would produce mass casualties, dramatic destruction and significant economic aftershocks Michael Hayden, CIA director
But in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Friday, CIA director Michael Hayden warned that al-Qaeda was plotting new attacks on the US, the AFP news agency reported.But in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Friday, CIA director Michael Hayden warned that al-Qaeda was plotting new attacks on the US, the AFP news agency reported.
"Our analysts assess with high confidence that al-Qaeda's central leadership is planning high impact plots against the American homeland," he said."Our analysts assess with high confidence that al-Qaeda's central leadership is planning high impact plots against the American homeland," he said.
"Al-Qaeda is focusing on targets that would produce mass casualties, dramatic destruction and significant economic aftershocks.""Al-Qaeda is focusing on targets that would produce mass casualties, dramatic destruction and significant economic aftershocks."
In his October 2004 video, Bin Laden threatened new attacks against the US on the eve of the presidential election.In his October 2004 video, Bin Laden threatened new attacks against the US on the eve of the presidential election.
Another tape - audio - was released in January 2006. It referred to identifiable events, including the situation in Somalia.Another tape - audio - was released in January 2006. It referred to identifiable events, including the situation in Somalia.
Al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri has appeared in a greater number of videos, including one berating the Pakistani army's assault on radical Islamists in Islamabad's Red Mosque in July.Al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri has appeared in a greater number of videos, including one berating the Pakistani army's assault on radical Islamists in Islamabad's Red Mosque in July.
The US Senate voted to double the bounty on Bin Laden to $50 million (£24.6 million) in July.The US Senate voted to double the bounty on Bin Laden to $50 million (£24.6 million) in July.