A U.S. counter terrorism official says al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden recently communicated with his ally in Iraq - Abu Musab al-Zarqawi - suggesting that he get involved in potential attacks in the United States.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the communication "a fairly recent development," but declined to provide details.

A spokesman, Brian Roehrkasse, for the U.S Homeland Security Department said a classified official notice about the intelligence has been issued recently, describing the information as "credible but not specific."

Al-Zarqawi has claimed responsibility for many attacks in Iraq and the abduction and beheading of several Westerners there.