CAIRO, Egypt — The Al-Jazeera network broadcast a video by al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri on Friday in which he spoke about Palestinian and Egyptian politics and the situation in Darfur.

The tape apparently was made before the announcement that Iraq's most-wanted terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed Wednesday by a U.S. airstrike. Al-Zawahri praised the al-Qaida in Iraq leader's efforts to confront U.S.-led forces in Iraq.

"God bless the prophet of Islam in Iraq, the persistent hero of Islam, the Holy Warrior Abu Musab al-Zarqawi," al-Zawahri said.

He also sent greetings to the Shura Council of Mujahedeen in Iraq and insurgents, "who are confronting crusaders and their apostate aides and the merchants of religion."

Al-Zawahri urged Muslims to reject a referendum proposed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

"I call on Muslims to reject any referendum on Palestine, because Palestine is a house of Islam and not subject to any compromise," he said.