Osama Bin Laden released a new audio tape which was aired by al-Jazeera television today urging Iraqi citizens to boycott the U.S. sponsored elections scheudled for January 30th.

The voice, which sounded like Bin Laden's on previous recordings according to preliminary tests, spoke out against the elections and the new Iraqi government. 'This (Iraqi) constitution is blasphemous … and anyone who takes part in this election consciously and willingly is an infidel,' said the voice purported to be Bin Laden. 'You have to be careful of those charlatans who, under the guise of Islamic parties, urge the people to take part in the election.'

The tape also praised the work of Jordanian born terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who American forces consider the leading terrorist in the war-torn country.

'I consider the prince of the mujahideen, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi a true soldier of God,' the speaker said. 'He is the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq and everybody should follow him and obey him. Their (Zarqawi's group) brave operations against the Americans and the government of (Iraqi interim prime minister Iyad) Allawi make us happy and proud,' he added.

In another blow to the scheduled elections in Iraq, the Iraqi Islamic Party, which Sunni Muslims support, has announced it would withdraw from the election because of the increasing violence in Sunni areas that would preclude fair ballot counts. Sunni Muslims dominated Iraq under Saddam Hussein but are a minority in the country. They are expected to have much less power once the elections are held on January 30th. The withdrawal of the Iraqi Islamic Party further threatens the legitimacy of the upcoming elections.