Al-Qaida's deputy leader in a video footage mocked US President George W. Bush's plan to send 21,000 more troops to Iraq, vowing "insurgents will defeat them."

The Washington-based site Institute said it had intercepted the video from Ayman al-Zawahri, where his messages are usually posted, but did not elaborate on how it received the video.

In the video released Monday, Ayman al-Zawahiri, chief aide to Osama bin Laden, said, "Security is a shared destiny. If we are secure, you might be secure, and if we are safe, you might be safe. And if we are struck and killed, you will definitely -- with Allah's permission -- be struck and killed."

Al-Zawahri said the new US strategy for Iraq, outlined by Bush in a Jan. 9 speech, was doomed to fail.

Al-Zawahiri cited US plan to send more troops to Iraq, asking "Why not send 50,000 or 100,000?"

"Aren't you aware that the dogs of Iraq are pining for your troops' dead bodies? Send your entire army to be annihilated at the hands of the Mujahedeen to free the world from your evil and theirs because Iraq, the land of the caliphate and Jihad, is able to bury 10 armies like yours, with God's help and power."

In remarks intended for the American people, he said, "If you want to live in security, you must accept the facts of what is happening on the ground, and reject the fantasies with which Bush tries to deceive you."    

"You must honestly try to reach a mutual understanding with the Muslims, for then and only then you might enjoy security. If, however, you continue with the policy of Bush and his gang, you will never even dream of peace."

The video showed al-Zawahri in a full grey beard and wearing a white turban, in front of a black backdrop.

The message was the first reaction from al-Qaida's leadership to the new US strategy.

The United States has said its extra troops aim to crack down on al-Qaida fighters and other Sunni militants in Iraq, as well as Shiite militants blamed in the country's spiraling sectarian violence.

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2007 )