An audio recording, purported to be by Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has been released attacking United States President Barack Obama.  

The recording has been aired on the al-Jazeera news channel. It says Mr Obama has sown the seeds of revenge and hatred in the Muslim world and warns Americans to prepare for the consequences. The new US president is accused of continuing the policies of his predecessor George W Bush which have made enemies of Islamic people.

The message comes as Mr Obama is in Saudi Arabia for his first visit to the Arab world as US president. On Thursday, he is due in Egypt where he will make a speech directed towards the Muslim world.

An audio recording, purported to be by Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has been released attacking United States President Barack Obama.