U.S. officials say Qaeda a threat but not imminently

By Randall Mikkelsen - Analysis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Al Qaeda deputy Ayman al Zawahri's message on Wednesday criticizing U.S. president-elect Barack Obama and urging attacks on America shows the network remains a threat, but there are no signs of imminent attacks, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

Mindful of past al Qaeda attacks around the time of leadership transitions, U.S. security agencies have focussed on ensuring there are no gaps in the handover of power. But they have consistently said there are no signs al Qaeda is preparing an early attack on the United Sates.

"We maintain that there's no credible information to suggest there's an imminent threat against the homeland at this time," Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner said.

Zawahri, in al Qaeda's first high-level comment on Obama's November 4 election, called Obama "the direct opposite of honourable black Americans." He said Obama's plan to send more troops to Afghanistan was doomed to failure and urged supporters to keep striking a "criminal" America.

A U.S. counterterrorism official said Zawahri's message seems intended to counter a message of change sent by U.S. voters in electing Obama as the first black U.S. president, who is widely popular internationally.

"The message, unsurprising in its bitter tone and content, is remarkable chiefly as an additional sign that al-Qaeda is out of touch with so much of the world," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"But, even in its growing isolation, this is still a group that can do serious damage," he said.

Zawahri's threats contain little new, said Adam Raisman, analyst for the SITE Intelligence Group, a U.S. based terrorism monitor, "It's the same message that he's been carrying for quite a few years, you either leave our lands or suffer the repercussions."