Dubai: A statement by a London based daily, 'Al-Quds Al-Arabi' claimed that al-Qaeda responsible for the train blasts in Madrid yesterday (Mar 11, 2004) as also a suicide attack in Istanbul.

"The death squad (of the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades) succeeded in penetrating the crusader European depths and striking one of the pillars of the crusader alliance, Spain with a painful blow," said the statement, signed "Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades/al-Qaeda" and dated March 11.

Spain was an ally in the war against terrorism. The Prime Minister of Spain was an ardent supporter of the US led Iraq war.

Yesterday's strike in Madrid "was a part of the settling of old scores with crusader Spain, America's ally in its war against Islam," said the statement, a copy of which was sent to the newspaper.

"In another operation the Jund al-Quds (al-Quds soldiers) squad struck the Masonic Jewish lodge in Istanbul, the main Masonic lodge. Three senior masons were killed in the operation and had it not been for a technical error, all would have been killed," it added.

The claims could not be independently verified and 'Al-Quds Al-Arabi' has previously relayed several claims by al-Qaeda.

"Where is America, O Aznar? Who is going to protect you, Britain, Japan, Italy and other collaborators from us?" the statement added.