London, Asharq Al-Awsat- Al Qaeda in Iraq ’s new leader publicly declared his support of Osama bin Laden on Tuesday and vowed to hurt the United States and its allies.

In his first statement since succeeding Abu Musab al Zarqawi, who was killed last Wednesday, Abu Hamza al Mujahir said, “We await your signal and follow your orders, and we give you the good tidings that morale is high among your soldiers.”

The statement, dated Sunday, was published on an extremist website and addressed to the Muslim Umma (Community).

“The Americans and their Iraqi allies will not be safe in their forts. The day of revenge is near… their strong towers in the Green zone will not protect them.”

Al Mujahir vowed to target the US military in Iraq and the Shiaa and Sunnis who have taken part in the political process.

“The Crusader enemy (the US) is pleading the forces allied to it not to withdraw [from Iraq] and leave it alone.”

Addressing the Iraqi Sunnis who have participated in politics and cooperated with the successive Iraqi governments, he said, “You will see, God willing, what we have in store for you because of your betrayal. Our swords are poised above your necks and will not distinguish between apostate and another.”