Website says to carry bin Laden "present" to Muslims

Osama bin Laden talks at a news conference in Afghanistan in this May 26, 1998 file photo.

DUBAI (Reuters) - A website often used by al Qaeda supporters said on Thursday it would soon carry a "present" to Muslims from Osama bin Laden on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Islamist website gave no further details, but messages by the al Qaeda leader have usually appeared within about 48 hours of being announced on the Internet.

In his latest message in June, bin Laden said U.S. President Barack Obama had planted the seeds of "revenge and hatred" toward the United States in the Muslim world.

Bin Laden's remarks were issued just before a major speech by Obama who said he sought a "new beginning" between the United States and the Muslim world.

Bin Laden's message in June and another recording issued by his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri appeared to be a drive by al Qaeda to pre-empt Obama's speech to the Muslim world.

Later in June, CIA Director Leon Panetta said the U.S. intelligence agency believed bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan and hoped joint operations with Pakistani forces would find him.

(Reporting by Firouz Sedarat)