“In an October [17, 2004] statement, [militant Jordanian Abu Musab al-] Zarqawi announced that he was changing the name of his group [from al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad] to Al Qaeda in the Land of the Two Rivers [Iraq], and he declared his allegiance to bin Laden, saying he considered bin Laden ‘the best leader for Islam’s armies against all infidels and apostates.’ The statement noted that the two had communicated and agreed to join forces against ‘the enemies of Islam.’ ”
– Fawaz A. Gerges, The Far Enemy, Pages 257-258