An audio tape purportedly by deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein urged Iraqis to fight occupying US forces, saying the war was not yet over. ?We will not surrender and won?t be defeated. The battle is not over yet,? the tape, addressing Iraqi armed forces, said. The tape, aired by Dubai-based Al Arabiya television, was dated July 20. ?We tell our armed forces and our people that if America has achieved military superiority, it will not achieve supremacy in the battle of wills against the Iraqi people,? the tape said. The voice on the tape and the language sounded identical to that of Saddam. He used many verses of the Koran ? the Islamic holy book. ?Although the occupation is factually present in the form of the US army, occupation is not officially settled. The will of the people and that of the armed forces and the political leaderships are not subdued,? he added.

The tape said US forces, facing increased attacks, would not be safe in Iraq despite their military might and weaponry. It urged Iraqis and armed forces to rise up in a new ?liberation army?. ?Let our awakening be a new lesson that can be added to the history of our nation and humanity,? he added.

Fourth tape in month

US officials have blamed die-hard Saddam loyalists for the guerrilla insurgency against American forces. At least 41 US troops have been killed in attacks against them since US President George W. Bush declared combat over on May 1. But other groups have also claimed responsibility for the attacks, distancing themselves from Saddam?s secular Iraqi nationalism and embracing the Islamist, anti-American slogans of Osama bin Laden?s al Qaeda network. The audio tape was the fourth in a month aired by Arab broadcasters and claiming to be from Saddam. A tape last week called on Iraqis to fight the Anglo-American occupiers and ?evict the enemy from Iraq?.

A CIA analysis has determined that the audiotape last week was ?probably? the voice of Saddam. That supported the perception that Saddam survived the war. US forces have been operating on the assumption Saddam is still alive and probably hiding in northern Iraq. The tape said every member of the armed forces, even those retired, should join the resistance to form what he called the ?core of the new liberation army?.

?My brothers at the armed forces and Republican guards, the hard task troops, the news of your actions honouring Jihad (holy struggle) is reaching me and making me feel proud and happy (...)Use every possible mean and continue your Jihad,? he added.