Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has vowed that he would "eliminate" al-Qaeda and said that the terror network's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was on the run.
[More good news!--Jen]
Musharraf spoke during an interview with ABC News, one day after an audio tape -- attributed to Zawahiri -- urged Pakistan's military to support al-Qaeda and sweep Musharraf from power.
"Now as far as if he's taunting me well, I would like to say that I'm going to eliminate all of them," Pakistan's leader said, referring to Zawahiri and al-Qaeda loyalists.
"I mean, Zawahiri is on the run. For heaven's sake, it's just one tape. Let's not get excited," Musharraf said on Saturday.
"It's very clear we'll eliminate them, and the tribal elders are cooperating," he added.
The call was made in a tape broadcast by the Arab Al-Jazeera television network late Thursday and attributed to Al-Qaeda deputy Ayman Al-Zawahiri in a recording described by US intelligence as "probably authentic."
The tape called on Pakistan's military to "not obey orders" and overthrow Musharraf's administration, which it calls a "traitor government."
Pakistan's military and government have poured scorn on the tape.
Furious Islamists took to Pakistan's streets Friday to protest the 11-day military operation against tribal fighters and Al-Qaeda militants along Pakistan's northern border with Afghanistan, as rebel tribesmen at the centre of the battle refused to hand over hostages until troops withdraw.
at least some of those hostages and these Pakistani crowds will have "Muslims killing Muslims" to be furious about.
As for President Musharraf and his Army, who took many casualties, but also took about 150 bad guys as prisoners, nice job!
We'll get Zawahiri next time for sure.
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