Bin Laden warns EU over Prophet cartoons

By Inal Ersan

DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden threatened the European Union with grave punishment on Wednesday over cartoons of Islam's Prophet Mohammad.

In an audio recording posted on the Internet coinciding with the birthday of Islam's founder, bin Laden said the drawings, considered offensive by Muslims, were part of a "crusade" in which Pope Benedict was involved.

"Your publications of these drawings -- part of a new crusade in which the Pope of the Vatican had a significant role -- is a confirmation from you that the war continues," said the Saudi-born militant leader in a message addressed to "those who are wise at the European Union".

You are "testing Muslims ... the answer will be what you shall see and not what you hear. May our mothers lose us to death if we did not rise in defence of the messenger of God..."

The message, produced by al Qaeda media arm As-Sahab, coincides with the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Bin Laden said the publication of the cartoons was a graver offence than the "bombing of modest villages that collapsed over our women children."

"This is the bigger catastrophe and the more dangerous one and for which the punishment is graver."

The cartoons were first published by the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten in September 2005 but a furore erupted only after other papers reprinted them in 2006. In one of the cartoons Mohammad was wearing a bomb as a turban.

At least 50 people were killed in the protests against the publication of the cartoons, which Muslims say are an affront to Islam. Newspapers which have reprinted the cartoons argue they are defending the right to media freedom.