BAGHDAD — The self-styled leader of an Iraqi al-Qaida front group is calling on President-elect Obama and other Western leaders to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The purported leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, makes the call in a speech posted on the Internet.

It was reported Friday by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist Web sites.

Al-Baghdadi makes the call "on behalf of my brothers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Chechnya" and says it's better "for you and us" to "withdraw your forces" and "return to your homes."

He also blames the financial crisis on the wars "launched in Muslim countries."

The U.S. military says al-Baghdadi is an actor who provides a voice for al-Qaida propaganda.