Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has threatened to overthrow the Saudi regime and has urged its sympathizers in that country's security forces to kill Christians living in the kingdom.

"Those of you who work in guarding the tyrants of princes or ministers, or the compounds inhabited by Christians, and can reach them, should seek God's help and kill them," said AQAP's number two, Said al-Shihri.

In an audio message posted on the internet Wednesday, the AQAP reiterated calls to overthrow the Saudi regime "for its participation in the U.S.-led crusade against Islam", and called for attacks on Israel.

The oufit has accused the Saudi monarchy of helping the U.S. to wage war against Muslims through its military campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen.

Al-Shihri called for forming sleeper cells within the armed and security forces to recruit sympathizers "to make the toppling of Al-Saud family easier."

Al-Shihri claimed that AQAP had received feelers from some members of the Saudi armed forces seeking "guidance."

"Some members of the Saudi government's army requested us to give them orders on whether to stay in their jobs or go to Yemen to join Al Qaeda's camps," al-Shihri said in the message.

"So we ordered them to collect information on everything related to the Saudi royal family and its government, army, security and air force, and get started in dethroning such an apostate government for its participation in the U.S.-led crusade war against Islam," he added.

Al-Shihri also urged sympathizers in the armed forces to attack Israel from the northwestern tip of Saudi Arabia on the Gulf of Aqaba, across the waters from the Israeli resort of Eilat.

"Carry your arms against Israel, which is only few kilometers away from you, whose lights you can see (at night) from the city of Haql," he said.