London: A message, believed to have been sent by terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, asked British Islamic extremists to launch an attack on civilians even as Britain issued its strongest warning against al-Qaida attacks.

The 4000-word letter from Osama being circulated among the Muslim fundamentalists, claimed the "Islamic nation" was "eager for martyrdom", a media report said on November 24.

Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien said, "We face an enemy who will attack us in Britain as well as overseas... British workers in New York or tourists in Bali or residents of London or Birmingham."

There was a threat of "well-planned attacks" on British national institutions, commercial and financial infrastructure and on many aspects of our everyday life, he added.

Osama has issued a direct threat to the West, 'The Sunday Observer' said.

"Anyone who tries to destroy our villages and cities, then we are going to destroy their villages and cities. Anyone who steals our fortunes, then we must destroy their economy. Anyone who kills our civilians, then we are going to kill their civilians," the letter said.

A major part of his letter comprises a lengthy list of grievances against the West. The fugitive terrorist, who is believed to be hiding either in the Afghan-Pakistan border or in Yemen, mounted a sustained attack on the "immorality" of Western society.

PTI