Bush pledge on 'servants of evil'

George Bush has vowed to hunt down the "servants of evil" behind the September 11 attacks as America prepares to remember those who died.

The US President was reacting to a new tape said to show Osama bin Laden alive and in good health.

American intelligence experts are examining it for clues about the al Qaeda chief 's health and his possible location, believed to be the mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Mr Bush said last night that he had not yet seen the video, which US officials say is a ploy to capitalise on the second anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the White House.

But Mr Bush said the US would "never forget the servants of evil" behind the atrocities.

"For the last two years this nation has been on the offensive against the global terror network overseas and at home. We have taken unprecedented and effective measures to protect this homeland yet our nation has more to do.

"The forces of global terror cannot be appeased and they can't be ignored. They must be hunted, they must be found and they must be defeated."

In a ceremony today children will recite the names of the 2,792 who died from the edge of the pit which is all that remains of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Many of them lost a parent. Madilynn Morris, 11, will recite the names of 14 people, including her father Seth who worked for investment brokers Cantor Fitzgerald, where 658 people died when the first plane hit.

She told the New York Times: "I thought it would be a good way to honour my dad and to honour other people."

The second anniversary will be more low key than last year with many Americans now anxious to put that terrible morning behind them, and with the daily reality of the war in Iraq.

President Bush will remain in Washington, where he will attend a church service later today and observe a nationwide moment of silence on the White House lawn.

Experts believe the eight minute tape shown in the Arab a l - Jazeera stat ion was released to rally bin Laden's supporters but could also include messages that could launch another attack.

The video praises the 19 hijackers who flew planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth plane was downed before it reached the White House.

Five of the September 11 terrorists are named, with Bin Laden saying: "I am honoured to have known those men," adding that they have: "proven their true faith by sacrificing themselves."

Bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri are shown in Afghan costume on a rocky hill. One shot shows wildflowers, suggesting it was made in spring or early summer.

Bin Laden, with a gun and a walking stick, smiles and even waves at the camera.