Al Qaida vows massive attacks

Baghdad: Al Qaida in Iraq vowed on Sunday to "shake the enemy" with massive attacks following the killing of its leader Abu Musab Al Zarqawi.

Meanwhile, the US military dismissed as "ludicrous" allegations from Iraqis that US troops had beaten Zarqawi to death.

US military spokesman Major William Wilhoite said that the autopsy was complete and that the military is awaiting the results, which is expected on Monday.

Al Qaida has not named a successor for Zarqawi but said in an internet statement that it has held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss a new strategy.

Zarqawi was killed in a US military air strike north of Baghdad on Wednesday. The Osama Bin Laden-deputy was blamed for a campaign of bombings in the region.

"We plan large-scale operations that will shake the enemy and rob them of sleep, in coordination with the other factions of the Mujahideen Council," the group said.

Zarqawi's deputy, Abu Abdulrahman Al Iraqi, also vowed that the Al Qaida will continue fighting the US-led occupation and the Iraqi government.

In January, Al Qaida in Iraq and some other militant groups set up the Mujahideen Council to coordinate their operations.