Al-Qaeda tape rejects Annapolis

The tape called for Muslims to reject Middle East peace talks

Al-Qaeda's deputy leader has purportedly said Arab leaders have betrayed the Palestinians by attending US-hosted Middle East talks last month.

In an internet audio message attributed to Ayman al-Zawahiri, Muslims are urged to reject the talks.

The Annapolis conference has kicked off the first major Israeli-Palestinian peace drive in seven years.

Most Arab nations, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, attended the talks.

"The Arab states and governments were present as false witnesses to the latest of the treacherous deals to sell Palestine," the message says.

It was posted on Islamist web sites on Friday.

Jihad call

The message calls on Muslims to "stand with your brothers in Palestine... and do not leave them alone in the face of... the compromising rulers and the Crusader-Zionist aggression".

At Annapolis, near Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to seek a resolution to their conflict, resulting in a Palestinian state by the end of 2008.

US President George W Bush pledged to fully support the process throughout his last year in office.

The Annapolis talks were attended by more than 40 other countries and international organisations.

High-level delegations represented key Arab states such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Previous messages attributed to Zawahiri have urged Muslims to unite in global jihad - holy struggle - and for the governments of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to be overthrown.

Egyptian-born Zawahiri is regarded as Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man.