M A I N   N E W S

Threat to kill hostages

Dubai, September 18
Iraqi militants have threatened to kill a British and two U.S. hostages unless U.S. forces release women prisoners from two jails within 48 hours, Al-Jazeera television said today. The Arabic broadcaster aired scenes from a videotape of the three men it said it had obtained from the Tawhid and Jihad Group of suspected Al-Qaida ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. 

“The Tawhid and Jihad Group gave a 48-hour deadline for the release of the women prisoners in return for releasing the two Americans and Briton kidnapped on Thursday, or they would implement the death penalty against them,” Al-Jazeera said. — Reuters