Osama threatens France in new message

The Arabic news station Al-Jazeera has reported that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has issued a new message calling for the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan.

In a report Friday, the station said bin Laden called on French President Nicolas Sarkozy to withdraw its troops from "our countries," adding that that its role would cost the French "inside France and outside."

Extremist groups associated with al-Qaida are holding at least seven French hostages, including five in the Sahara Desert and two in Afghanistan.

Al-Qaida has often sent audio messages to Al-Jazeera for broadcast.