Cairo:
Al Qaeda released a statement on militant Web sites on Friday confirming the death of Osama bin Laden, news agencies reported.
The statement, dated May 3, was signed by "the general leadership" of the group, the Associated Press said.
"We stress that the blood of the holy warrior sheik, Osama bin Laden, God bless him, is precious to us and to all Muslims" the statement said according to the A.P., adding that his death would not "go in vain." The statement also said, "We will remain, God willing, a curse chasing the Americans and their agents, following them outside and inside their countries."
Bin Laden was killed by a United States raid early Monday morning in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
The statement said a voice recording that Bin Laden made a week before his death would be released soon, Reuters reported. The statement also called on the people of Pakistan to rebel against their government and warned of reprisal attacks against America.
"Soon, God willing, their happiness will turn to sadness," the statement said, according to the Associated Press, "their blood will be mingled with their tears."