LBCI

[VIDEO] Al Qaeda calls Islamic State illegitimate but suggests cooperation

Middle East

09-09-2015 | 09:59

Share

Share

[VIDEO] Al Qaeda calls Islamic State illegitimate but suggests cooperation

2^min

Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri dismissed the Islamic State movement and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as illegitimate but said his followers would join them in fighting the Western-led coalition in Iraq and Syria if possible.

In an audiotape on the internet, Zawahri said: "We don't recognize this caliphate."

It was not clear when the recording was made but references to events suggest it was made at least eight months ago.

Islamic State, which controls large parts of Iraq and Syria, has vowed to establish a caliphate in the Middle East.

Despite rivalries between Al Qaeda and Islamic State, former Egyptian doctor Zawahri suggested there was still room for cooperation when it came to combating the West.

"Despite the big mistakes (of Islamic State), if I were in Iraq or Syria I would cooperate with them in killing the crusaders and secularists and Shiites even though I don't recognize the legitimacy of their state, because the matter is bigger than that," he said.

Zawahri did not spell out his intentions in making such remarks. But they raised the possibility he could be hinting at some form of reconciliation.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

US strikes target empty oil tankers allegedly trying to break Iran blockade: Fox News

Middle East News

2026-05-08

US strikes target empty oil tankers allegedly trying to break Iran blockade: Fox News

Safety body urges EU airlines to avoid Iran airspace until March 31

2026-02-12

Safety body urges EU airlines to avoid Iran airspace until March 31

Trump tells ABC next Iran leader won't 'last long' without his approval

Middle East News

2026-03-08

Trump tells ABC next Iran leader won't 'last long' without his approval

Indonesia protests its UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon

2026-03-31

Indonesia protests its UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

1

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

2

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

3

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

4

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

5

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

6

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

7

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

8

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More