The number two leader of the al-Qaida terror network has urged Muslims to oppose a referendum proposed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

This image made from an undated video broadcast, Aug. 4, 2005 on Al-Jazeera, shows Ayman al-Zawahiri speaking at an undisclosed location (file photo)

Ayman al-Zawahiri made the statement in a videotape aired Friday by the Arabic television network al-Jazeera. He said Palestine is a house of Islam and not subject to any compromise.

Mr. Abbas has proposed to hold a referendum on a Palestinian statehood plan that recognizes Israel. Mr. Abbas of the Fatah party has given the militant group Hamas until the end of the week to agree to the statehood plan or he will call the referendum.

Mahmoud Abbas (file photo)

Mr. Abbas has been in a power struggle with Hamas since the militant group took control of the Palestinian Authority earlier this year.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.