I will become martyr this year: Osama

A UK-based news agency says it has a new audio recording of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

The 53-minute tape was recorded this month and acquired from a seller over the Net, the Al-Ansaar news agency says.

"In this final year I hurl myself and my steed with my soul at the enemy. Indeed, on my demise I will become a martyr," the Al-Qaeda leader purportedly says.

"I pray my demise isn't on a coffin bearing green mantles. I wish my demise to be in the eagle's belly," he says.

Experts contacted by Al-Ansaar believe that the 'eagle' refers to the US and the quote reveals bin Laden's wish to end his life in a final act of terrorism, Khan says.