bin Laden video released on web

Snippets of a purported new video clip of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden appeared on the web on Friday, shortly after the clip was broadcast on the Arabic language Al-Jazeera TV network.

Canadian television network CTV hosted video of an untranslated version of the broadcast on its website, while an MSNBC.com newscast offered a short translated clip, in which bin Laden made a reference to the US presidential election.

"Your security is not in the hands of Kerry or Bush or al-Qaida. Your security is in your own hands," bin Laden said, according to the MSNBC translation of the clip. In addition, bin Laden threatened new attacks on the United States.

NBC reported that the tape has been confirmed as authentic by US officials and offers the first direct admission from bin Laden that he ordered the 11 September attacks.

Bin Laden has released several video and audio messages since he went into hiding after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. The last purported recorded message from bin Laden was posted on the web on several sites on 6 May. The audiotape urged the assassination of top US and UN officials in Iraq.

Evan Hansen writes for CNET News.com.