Osama bin Laden called for Iraqi insurgents to unite and avoid divisive "extremism," speaking in an audiotape aired on Monday and apparently intended to win over Sunnis opposed to the terror group's branch in Iraq.
In the audiotape broadcast on al-Jazeera television, the al-Qaeda leader said insurgents should admit "mistakes" and that he even advises himself not to be extreme in his leadership, calling on Iraq's Islamic scholars and tribal leaders to mediate between rival insurgent groups.
The tape appeared to be in response to moves by some Sunni Arab tribes in Iraq that have joined US troops in fighting al-Qaeda members, as well as other Sunni insurgent groups that -- while still attacking Americans -- have formed coalitions opposed to al-Qaeda.
US commanders in Iraq have said they are making progress in cracking down on al-Qaeda's branch there, which has carried out some of the deadliest suicide bombings against civilians.
"Some of you have been lax in one duty, which is to unite your ranks," bin Laden said in the audiotape. "Beware of division ... Muslims are waiting for you to gather under a single banner to champion righteousness. Be keen to oblige with this duty."
"I advise myself, Muslims in general and brothers in al-Qaeda everywhere to avoid extremism among men and groups," he said, saying leaders should not build themselves up as the sole authority, and that instead mujahideen should follow "what God and his Prophet have said."
Bin Laden used the Arabic word ta'assub, which in traditional Islamic thought means extremism in allegiance or adherence to a group, to a degree that excludes others -- apparently advising flexibility to overcome divisions.
He said he wanted to "eliminate the exaggeration" among some insurgent groups that leads them to "magnify the orders of one group or its leader to the degree they treat them like infallible texts."
He warned against "mistakes," advising Muslims to follow leaders according to their faith and commitment to jihad, or holy war, not according to family relations or other allegiances.
"Everybody can make a mistake, but the best of them are those who admit their mistakes," he said. "Mistakes have been made during holy wars but mujahideen have to correct their mistakes."
"All Muslim scholars, mujahideen leaders and tribal chiefs must exert efforts to reconcile between any two differing groups, and those groups must respond to any sincere efforts," he said.
US counterterrorism authorities were studying the content and authenticity of the audiotape. However, officials often note that no one has faked a bin Laden recording in the past.
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