President Bush and his Democratic challenger John Kerry have both reacted to the release of a video by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden by vowing to defeat terrorism.
Mr. Bush said Friday the United States will not be intimidated or influenced by bin Laden's threats, while Senator Kerry said Americans are united in their determination to hunt down and destroy bin Laden and other terrorists. Mr. Kerry called terrorists "barbarians."
On the tape, bin Laden gave the clearest acknowledgment yet of his involvement in the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York's World Trade Towers. He said the way to avoid what he called "another Manhattan" is to ensure the United States does not threaten the security of Arab lands.
The al-Qaida leader said Americans' security is in their own hands, and can not be ensured by either presidential candidate.
Information for this story is provided by Reuters and AFP.