The following is a transcript of an audio tape broadcast by al Arabiya. The CIA claims to have determined that the voice on the tape is bin Laden. This translation was made available by the BBC.

Praise be to Almighty God; Peace and prayers be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions. This is a message to our neighbours north of the Mediterranean, containing a reconciliation initiative as a response to their positive reactions. Praise be to God; praise be to God; praise be to God who created heaven and earth with justice and who allowed the oppressed to punish the oppressor in the same way. Peace upon those who followed the right path:

In my hands there is a message to remind you that justice is a duty towards those whom you love and those whom you do not. And people's rights will not be harmed if the opponent speaks out about them. The greatest rule of safety is justice, and stopping injustice and aggression. It was said: Oppression kills the oppressors and the hotbed of injustice is evil. The situation in occupied Palestine is an example. What happened on 11 September [2001] and 11 March [the Madrid train bombings] is your commodity that was returned to you. It is known that security is a pressing necessity for all mankind. We do not agree that you should monopolise it only for yourselves. Also, vigilant people do not allow their politicians to tamper with their security.