Obama is traveling to the Middle East in an effort to repair a damaged U.S. image and reset relations with the Islamic world. But the terrorist network's deputy leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, said those relations cannot be mended as long as the administration maintains its alliance with Israel.

In a message called "Tyrants of Egypt and America's agents welcome Obama" that was posted on Islamist Web sites, al-Zawahiri once again lashed out at the United States. Obama's message to the Muslim world, he said, has already been delivered with his support for "Zionist aggression.