Osama bin Laden

A new audiotape purportedly with the voice of Osama bin Laden urges Iraqis to boycott the Jan. 30 elections, according to the Arabic-language satellite television channel al-Jazeera.

The voice proclaims Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq, according to Fox News. Al-Zarqawi is blamed for numerous suicide-bomb attacks and beheadings of foreigners.

In the new tape, which al-Jazeera has not yet broadcast, bin Laden warns that Iraqis who vote will be regarded as infidels.

"In the balance of Islam, this constitution is infidel and therefore everyone who participates in this election will be considered infidels," the speaker said. "Beware of henchmen who speak in the name of Islamic parties and groups who urge people to participate in this blatant apostasy."

Formerly seen as a one-time rival for leadership in the international jihad movement, al-Zarqawi has declared his allegiance to bin Laden.

Al-Zarqawi's group is now called "Al-Qaida in Iraq."

The voice on the tape called it "a great step on the path of unifying all the mujahedeen in establishing the state of righteousness and ending the state of injustice."

On Dec. 16, a man identified as bin Laden on an audiotape praised terrorists who attacked the U.S. Consulate in Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

Al-Jazeera broadcast a videotape of bin Laden on the eve of the Nov. 2 U.S. elections, telling voters their security is in their own hands and they can expect more attacks if the policies of the Bush administration continue.