The second in command of al-Qaida is warning the Pakistani people that the US interference in their country's affairs poses a grave danger to its future and very existence.

A photograph of Al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri is seen in a grab from a video released by As Sahab on March 24, 2009. [Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies]

In an audio message in English dated July 14 and addressed to the Pakistani people, Ayman al-Zawahri said the Pakistani people are struggling against "a clique of corrupt politicians and a junta of military officers who are fighting to remain on the American pay list."

The tape, whose authenticity could not immediately be verified, was released by al-Qaida's media wing As Sahab and was posted on Islamic Web sites that usually carry militant videos and statements.

The al-Qaida leader also released an English-language address last August.

(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies July 16, 2009)