A man identifying himself as al-Qaeda's Iraq frontman Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has appeared in an internet video, vowing to defeat the United States in Iraq.

"By God, America will be defeated in Iraq," said the man identified as al-Zarqawi in what would be the first public appearance of one world's most-wanted men in at least three years.

In the past, al-Zarqawi has made statements only through audiotapes posted on the web.

"When the enemy entered into Iraq, their aim was to control Iraq and the area," the man said in the video. "But here we have been fighting them for the last three years."

The man, sporting a beard, is shown meeting with fighters briefing him on events in the western Iraqi town of Ramadi.

"Your brethren in the information committee of the Mujahedeen's Consultative Council are happy to present the first video of the emir of the al-Qaeda Organisation in the Land of Two Rivers, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi," footage on the website said.

The man also announced the formation of an umbrella group for anti-US fighters.

He also was shown firing an automatic rifle. The message on the video was dated April 21.

The Jordanian-born Zarqawi is blamed for deadly attacks in Iraq and the kidnapping and beheading of hostages and has a 25 million US dollar bounty on his head.

PHOTO CAPTION

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, speaks in a rare video of him posted on the Internet on April 25, 2006. (REUTERS)