"To America's lackeys we say: a lackey of America has destroyed his future by allying himself with the tyrant of the century," said the text signed by Abu-Hafs al-Masri/al-Qaeda Brigades received by Al-Qods Al-Arabi newspaper.

"Jose Marie Aznar will be chucked into the dustbin of history," said the statement, referring to the Spanish prime minister who was swept out of power in general elections last Sunday.

"Learn your lesson, you lackeys of America, the brigades of death are at your gates," it warned.

"We will strike you with an iron fist, at the appropriate place and time," said the statement, condemning "Arab and Muslim lackeys like (Pakistani President Pervez) Musharraf and the Al-Saud" family which rules Saudi Arabia.

"Our brigades are now preparing for a fresh strike. Will it be the turn of Japan, America, Italy, Britain, the Al-Sauds, Australia ...?" it warned.

The authenticity of the statement, which followed last week's train bombings in Madrid that killed 201 people and were claimed by the same group, could not be confirmed.

Meanwhile, a statement attributed to al-Qaeda called for a halt to attacks on civilians in Spain until the new Madrid government outlines its policy towards the Muslim world, an Arab daily reported in its Thursday edition.

"We have let the Spanish people choose between war and peace," said the statement received by the London-based newspaper Al-Qods Al-Arabi.

The authenticity of the statement, which followed last week's train bombings in Madrid that killed 201 people and were claimed by the same group, could not be confirmed.