Al-Qaeda in Iraq vowed today to carry out large-scale attacks that would "shake the enemy" after the killing of its leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, but did not name a successor.
The group, in an Internet statement, said its leading body held a meeting after Zarqawi's death on Wednesday to discuss strategy and renew a pledge to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
"We plan large-scaled operations that will shake the enemy and rob them of sleep, in coordination with the other factions of the Mujahideen Council," said the statement posted an a Web site often used by Islamist militants.
"We renew allegiance to the leader of al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, may God protect him, and he will be pleased with the actions of his soldiers in Iraq, God willing," said the statement whose authenticity could not be verified.
The Jordanian militant was killed after US warplanes raided his hideout in a village north of Baghdad.
After his death, al Qaeda vowed to continue fighting the US-led occupation and the Baghdad government in an Internet statement signed by Zarqawi's deputy, Abu Abdulrahman al-Iraqi.
In January, al Qaeda in Iraq and some other militant groups set up an umbrella body - the Mujahideen Council - to coordinate their operations. Zarqawi was blamed for a campaign of car bombs and beheadings.
Al-Qaeda watchers say his successor may be a local figure who focuses attacks more on US and Iraqi troops and less on brutal beheadings and suicide bombings.