Al-Qaida Threatening to Strike Los Angeles

ABC News aired a videotape of a purported al-Qaida member making terrorist threats against Los Angeles and Melbourne, Australia, on the fourth anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks in the United States.

"Yesterday, London and Madrid. Tomorrow, Los Angeles and Melbourne, Allah willing. And this time, don't count on us demonstrating restraint and compassion," the masked man said on the tape aired Sunday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

The network said the tape had been delivered to ABC in Pakistan.

ABC said the man is believed to be Adam Yahiye Gadahn, an American from California who is wanted by the FBI. The CIA said Sunday it was aware of the report but had no immediate comment about the tape's authenticity.

The man on the 11-minute tape, wearing a black turban with most of his face covered, called the attacks of four years ago "blessed events" before making the threats against the U.S. and Australia.

Counter-terror officials believe Gadahn also may be the person on a 75-minute video given to ABC News last year in Pakistan. That tape was later deemed authentic.

In a joint statement, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles police Chief William Bratton said authorities knew of no credible threats to the city.

"The statement was meant to instill fear, and fear is the most potent weapon the terrorists posses," the statement said. "Bombastic pronouncements are expected on the eve of terrorist incidents like September 11, but we cannot let such pronouncements alter our lifestyles."

Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock said the threat was being taken seriously, although the nation's security threat level remained unchanged at medium.

"The best response to things like this is to redouble our protective efforts, which we are doing, but also to get on with life, which we are also doing," said Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Investigators have said that Gadahn, who grew up on a farm in California, converted to Islam as a teen, moved to Pakistan, attended al-Qaida training camps and served as a translator for the terrorist organization.