Al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri speaks in this video footage released by al-Jazeera television Dec. 20, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    CAIRO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Al-Qaida's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri threatened to launch more attacks against the West as long as Muslims are under attack, Doha-based al-Jazeera satellite television reported on Wednesday.

    "If we are attacked in our land, we shall not stop attacking you in your countries," Zawahri said in a video tape broadcast by al-Jazeera whose authenticity could not be independently confirmed.

    "You will not dream of security until we live it as a reality in Palestine and all Muslim countries," Zawahri warned.

    He noted that the United States was trying to retreat from Iraq and Afghanistan, but was negotiating with the wrong parties, indicating that his group is the right one with which Washington should talk.

    "I want to tell the Republicans and the Democrats together ... you are trying to negotiate with some parties to secure your withdrawal, but these parties won't find you an exit," Zawahri said.

    In another section aired by the channel earlier in the day, theal-Qaida number two said that only Jihad (holy war) can bring about the liberation of the occupied Palestinian territories and any other way will only lead to loss and defeat.

    Zawahri said Palestinian elections would not free Palestinian land and would deal a blow to holy war against Israeli occupation.

    "Those trying to liberate the land of Islam through elections based on secular constitutions ... will not liberate a grain of sand of Palestine," he added.

    Calling Abbas as "America's man in Palestine", he warned that if the Palestinians accepted Abbas as their president, it would be" the end of holy war."

    The new message of Zawahri came two days after an Islamic militant website announced on Monday that Osama bin Laden's second-in-command would soon release a new message.