Bin Laden's No. 2 criticizes Pakistani leadership

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) - In what's believed to be the first English-language message from al-Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahri criticizes Pakistan's leadership and calls for Pakistanis to support the jihadist movement.

The audio message was released by al-Qaeda's production arm, al-Sahab, and initially aired on Pakistan's ARY channel. CNN could not independently verify its authenticity, and it was unclear when the message was taped.

"Let there be no doubt in your minds that the dominant political forces at work in Pakistan today are competing to appease and please the modern day crusaders in the White House and are working to destabilize this nuclear-capable nation under the aegis of America," the message says.

It's the first official message released by al-Sahab in which al-Zawahri, a native of Egypt, speaks English, said Ben Venzke, head of IntelCenter, a Washington-based company that monitors and analyzes militant messages.