European leaders have united to reject an offer of a truce from Osama bin Laden.

In his latest audio tape message, the al Qaeda leader offered "a reconciliation initiative to [Europe], whose essence is our commitment to stopping operations against every country that commits itself to not attacking Muslims or interfering in their affairs".

However, foreign secretary Jack Straw dismissed the offer - which would have resulted in the end to cooperation with the US.

"One has to treat such claims and proposals by al Qaeda with the contempt they deserve," he said.

"This is a murderous organisation which seeks impossible objectives by the most violent of means."

Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini said such a deal was "unthinkable", while French president Jacques Chirac insisted that there would be no "bargaining with terrorists".