Al-Oufi calls for attacking American targets in the region, supports al-Zarqawi

Al-Qaida branch in Saudi Arabia voiced support for the organization's branch in Iraq, expressing readiness to provide it with what it needs of gunmen.

This was expressed in a voice tape alleged for the leader of al-Qaida organization in Saudi Arabia, Saleh al-Ofi, broadcast on an Islamic site on the Internet. He said that he is ready to meet this request anytime it is requested by "al-Jihad organization in Mesopotamia" in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawei.

Al-Ofi which earlier news reports said he had died, called members of al-Qaida organization in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and all countries neighboring Iraq to attack, each of them on their own, land American forces soldiers, bases and planes which he described as "crusaders."

An Islamic web announced the death of al-Ofi in November, 2004 noting that Saud Bin Hammoud al-Oteibi, one of the main wanted persons by the Saudi security, replaced him. However, no official or independent source confirmed al-Ofi's death.

Al-Ofi replaced Abdul Aziz al-Muqarran after he was killed at the hands of the Saudi police. He was the leader of al-Qaida organization in the Arab Peninsula, the Saudi branch of al-Qaida organization led by Osama Bin Laden.

Al-Ofi's name is listed on the list persons accused of terrorist practices put by the Saudi authorities in December 2003. The list was composed of 26 names but currently contains only the names of 7 suspects, as the others were killed or arrested.