Iraq's Al-Qaida Leader Rips Shiite Cleric As 'Atheist'

CAIRO, Egypt -- The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq is lashing out at Shiites in a new audiotape that has surfaced on the Internet.

In a four-hour sermon, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi urges Sunnis to confront Shiites and ignore calls for reconciliation.

Al-Zarqawi also accuses the Shiite militias of killing and raping the Sunni Arab minority. And he calls top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani an "atheist."

This would be al-Zarqawi's first message since April 29. That's when he appeared in a video, saying any government formed in Iraq would be merely a "stooge" of the United States.

A written statement said the audio tape was made two months ago.
KFOXTV