Bin Laden cautions rebels not to join talks

WASHINGTON — Osama bin Laden, in his second recorded message in 48 hours, warned Iraqi insurgents Saturday not to participate in negotiations with the elected government in Baghdad and urged Muslims in Somalia to violently oppose any challenge to Islamists who have seized power in that country.

"There will be no bargaining with the crusaders and the apostates" in Iraq, bin Laden said in a clear reference to efforts by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to draw insurgent groups into negotiations and amnesty agreements with his government.

Al-Maliki and his appointed predecessors since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq will be punished as soon as American military forces are defeated, he said.

495 prisoners freed from U.S. facilities

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi and U.S. authorities freed 495 prisoners from U.S. facilities Saturday, completing a mass release announced by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki last month as part of his national reconciliation efforts.

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said more could be freed.

Iraq said the releases fulfilled al-Maliki's promise that 2,500 would be released by the end of June.

Compiled from The Washington Post and The Associated Press.