Cairo/Berlin, Sep 25 (DPA) A new message purported to be from Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden urged European nations Friday to end their alliance with the US and withdraw their forces from Afghanistan.

'We are neither asking for something trivial nor invalid; justice demands that you lift your oppression and withdraw your troops and reason demands that you don't hurt your neighbours,' said the audio message posted on some Islamic websites.

The five-minute 'Message from Sheikh Osama bin Laden to the People of Europe' was released as a video showing a still photo of bin Laden, and with English or German subtitles.

The message was released two days before the German elections, which many fear could experience an attack similar to that which rocked Madrid five years ago before federal elections there.

Germany's interior ministry said it was aware of the new message, which it was taking 'very seriously' and was currently being assessed.