Bin Laden calls for long war against 'infidels'

Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden told Muslims to prepare for a long war against "infidels and their agents".

"We either live under the light of Islam or we die with dignity ... brace yourselves for a long war against the world's infidels and their agents," the militant leader said in an audio tape was posted on an Islamist website on Thursday.

Parts of the tape were aired on Wednesday in which he accused US President Barack Obama of planting the seeds of hatred towards the United States among Muslims.

"Obama and his administration have planted seeds for hatred and revenge against America," bin Laden said in the recording.

He added that Obama was continuing in the steps of his predecessor George W. Bush and told Americans to be prepared for the consequences of the White House's policies.