No. 2 terrorist: Next attack on U.S. soil

Al-Zawahiri video calls Bush 'butcher of Washington'

Al-Qaida's No. 2 man, Ayman al-Zawahiri, says on a new video played by Al-Jazeera satellite television today that the next terror attack will be on U.S. soil.

Al-Zawahiri confirms he survived the U.S. air strike targeting him in Pakistan earlier this month and calls President Bush "the butcher of Washington and a failure" with reference to the attack.

"The war will be transferred to Bush's soil," al-Zawahiri warns.

Al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian doctor by training, says of Bush: "You are not only a liar, but also a failed crusader and a traitor." � a similar message to that of his last video, also broadcast by Al-Jazeera, which predicted Bush's defeat and "the victory of Islam" in Iraq.

He appears in his turban and pointing an admonishing finger.

"I cannot die if God does not want this,� says al-Zawahiri. "My life does not depend on you, but is in God's hands. Do you know where I am now? I am amongst Muslims, who are protecting me."

The second part of the message is addressed directly to the American people. Al-Zawahiri reminds them that their president did not accept Osama bin Laden's offer in his video message transmitted by al-Jazeera Jan. 19 � a truce in exchange for America's withdrawal from Iraq.

"Who has actually withdrawn from Iraq? Which soldiers are currently killing themselves?" al-Zawahiri asks. "When your sons come home in coffins, you should thank Messrs Bush and Blair for this."

In the video, al-Zawahiri spoke before a black background. No automatic weapon was visible, unlike past videos.

"The lion of Islam, Sheik Osama bin Laden, may God protect him, offered you a decent exit from your dilemma. But your leaders, who are keen to accumulate wealth, insist on throwing you in battles and killing your souls in Iraq and Afghanistan and � God willing � on your own land."