Al Qaeda to comment on Pope, Vatican fears life threat

The controversy surrounding the offensive remarks Pope made about the Muslims in his speech in the German University of Regensburg refuses to die even as terror outfit, Al Qaeda, has promised to take stern action against the pontiff.

According to the Search for International Terrorist Entities Institute (SITE), which monitors terrorists' online activities, a new speech by Ayman al–Zawahiri, al–Qaeda's second–in–command, that refers to Sept. 12 remarks by Pope Benedict XVI, is being advertised on jihadist Web sites and on–line forums.

The message is being advertised in a banner format that mentions as–Sahab productions, al–Qaeda's media branch, SITE said.

The banner promises that al–Zawahiri will discuss remarks by Pope Benedict XVI, according to an e–mailed press statement from SITE, which is based in Washington.

The Pope provoked Muslim protests around the world when he quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor who linked Islam with violence. The advertisement also promises that Zawahiri will discuss U.S. President George W. Bush and Sudan's violence– wracked Darfur region.

Based on how much time usually elapses between such online advertisements and the release of the recordings online or to Arabic–language television stations, the new speech could be issued anytime in the next week, according to SITE analyst Adam Raisman. It will also most likely be a video and not an audio recording, Raisman said.

Meanwhile, the Vatican, fearing life threat, has used the stage of the United Nations to try to make amends for remarks by Pope Benedict that drew fury from Muslims worldwide.

Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, governor of Vatican City, told the 192–member UN General Assembly, September 27, that the Pope had voiced sadness at the possible misinterpretation of quotes linking Muslims and violence.

"His real intention was to explain that 'not religion and violence, but religion and reason go together,' in the context of a critical vision of a society which seeks to exclude God from public life," Lajolo said.

The Pope, 79, has faced persistent criticism despite four attempts to make amends, without actually apologising directly, for a speech he gave on September 12 in his native Germany.

His last effort was in Italy on September 25 when he spoke to diplomats from about 20 Muslim countries plus leaders of Italy's own Muslim community.

Meanwhile, in New York, foreign ministers of the 56–member Organization of the Islamic Conference, meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly, has urged the Pope to "retract or redress" the comments.

Benedict enraged Muslims two weeks ago by quoting 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, who said "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

The Muslim foreign ministers said in a statement last Tuesday they feared the Pope's language might engender tension between the Muslim world and the Vatican.

Lajolo, who recently stepped down as Vatican foreign minister, said, "It falls to all interested parties – to civil society as well as to states – to promote religious freedom and a sane, social tolerance that will disarm extremists even before they can begin to corrupt others with their hatred of life and liberty."

According to political analysts, the Pope is facing the toughest international crisis since his election in April 2005 – and, despite praise from some prominent Muslims – the severity of some reactions has raised doubts about his planned trip to Turkey in November.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly criticized the Pope, saying even a politician would not have spoken in such a way.