CIA says latest 'Osama' tape appears old

The CIA has cast doubt on an audio tape broadcast yesterday, purportedly by Osama bin Laden accusing Arab Governments heeding US calls for democracy of being "infidel" agents of America, saying it appeared to be old.

The voice on the tape, aired on Al Arabiya television station and said to belong to the al Qaeda leader, also criticised moves towards parliamentary representation and democracy.

In a sign the tape could be several months old, the speaker made no mention of specific events occurring after September when former Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas resigned.