Washington, Sep 14 (DPA) A purported new message from Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has appeared on an Islamist website which has been used for such messages in the past, according to the US Intel-Centre which monitors such websites.

It said the audio message, lasting 11 minutes and 20 seconds, was addressed to the American people and was accompanied by a still picture of bin Laden. There was no proof that the voice on the message was truly that of bin Laden.

The message — which came two days after the eighth anniversary of the Sep 11 attacks on the US — says the US president is “powerless” to stop the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that the 9/11 attacks were fuelled by US support for Israel.

The Intel-Centre said that last message purported to come from bin Laden had been in June.