Washington  - A purported new message from al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has appeared on an Islamist website which has been used for such messages in the past, according to the US Intel-Center which monitors such websites.

It said the audio message, lasting 11 minutes and 20 seconds, was addressed to the American people and was accompanied by a still picture of bin Laden. There was no proof that the voice on the message was truly that of bin Laden.

The message - which came two days after the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States - says the US president is "powerless" to stop the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that the 9-11 attacks were fuelled by US support for Israel.

The Intel Center said that last previous message purported to come from bin Laden had been in June. (dpa)