New message from bin Laden on the way, al Qaeda says

(CNN) -- Al Qaeda's TV production unit promised on Monday a new message from Osama bin Laden would be made public soon.

"Soon, God willing, a new message from the lion Sheik Osama bin Laden, may God protect him, to the Europeans," says a banner posted Monday on a radical Islamist Web site by the production unit, As-Sahab.

The banner contains no information about when the message may be available, but such messages typically follow the banner within 72 hours, sometimes much less. Nor did the banner say whether the message would be video or audio only.

The last message purported to be from bin Laden was an audiotape broadcast last month on the Arabic-language satellite television network Al Jazeera.

That message urged al Qaeda in Iraq and other groups in that country to unify their forces and speak with one voice, that of the Islamic nation.

The message included no dated references, making it impossible to determine when it was taped based on its contents. In the message, bin Laden called on his followers to be loyal to the Islamic nation, not to individual leaders, groups, tribes or countries.

The tape marked the first time bin Laden spoke directly to the militants.

"Beware of your enemies, especially those who infiltrate your ranks," he said in Arabic.

"I advise myself and the Islamic nation not to follow individuals and countries," he said. "Everything should be seen in the light of Islam."

Addressing the mujahedeen in Iraq as "my brothers," he said, "You have done well to perform your duty."

In September, an audio message purportedly from bin Laden urged "jihad" against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. That message -- titled "Come to Jihad: A Speech to the People of Pakistan" -- was recorded over a montage of old video, and began with bin Laden reciting prayers and citations from the Quran in Arabic. The audio then faded, and a narrator translated bin Laden's message into Pashto. The tape was subtitled in English, and an Arabic transcript was released.

Two videotaped messages were released in the weeks immediately prior to that message. E-mail to a friend

All About Osama bin Laden • Al Qaeda • Al Jazeera Satellite Channel