Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Kidnapping
CAIRO, Egypt — Al Qaeda in Islamic North Africa claimed responsibility for kidnapping two Austrian tourists last month in Tunisia in an audio recording aired yesterday on Al-Jazeera television.
A man who identified himself as Salah Abu Mohammed said in the recording that the terrorist group kidnapped the two Austrians on February 22 in retribution for Western cooperation with Israel, but said the hostages were in good health.
"We tell Western tourists that at the same time they are flowing into Tunisian lands seeking joy, our brothers are being slain in Gaza by the Jews with the collaboration of the Western states," Mr. Abu Mohammed said.
"The mujahedeen have previously warned and alerted them that the apostate Tunisian state cannot and will not be able to protect you, and the hands of the mujahedeen can reach you wherever you are on the Tunisian soil."
