Zawahri criticises Pakistani govt in al Qaeda tape

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Reuters

DUBAI, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's number two Ayman al-Zawahri released an audio recording on Wednesday accusing the Pakistani government of responding too slowly to severe flooding in the country and calling on Pakistanis to revolt.

Zawahri, believed to be hiding in mountains along the Afghan-Pakistani border, spoke in a 44-minute recording which appeared to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

"The primary concern of the ruling class in the government and army of Pakistan is filling their domestic and foreign bank accounts with dollars, and as far as they are concerned, Pakistan and its people can go to hell," he said.

More than 1,700 people have been killed and millions displaced in the flooding, which began six weeks and has caused an estimated $43 billion in damage.

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