O/T Two Australians kidnapped in Iraq: report (Breaking News)
AFP
Two Australians kidnapped in Iraq: report
News agency Agence France Presse (AFP) is reporting a claim by Iraqi militants that they have taken two Australians hostage and they are threatening to execute them.
The statement, allegedly from the Islamic Secret Army, says two Australians and two Asians have been kidnapped.
The statement was delivered in the Sunni Muslim bastion of Samarra today.
The statement gives Canberra a 24-hour deadline to end its interests in Iraq or see the hostages executed, but there was no immediate confirmation of the ultimatum's authenticity.
"One of our brave brigades ambushed civilian cars belonging to the American army on the motorway from Baghdad to (the main northern city of) Mosul," said the statement dated Monday.
"It took four prisoners, two Australians and two east Asian nationals who were working as security contractors for important people," it said.
"We tell the infidels of Australia that they have 24 hours to leave Iraq or the two Australians will be killed without a second chance."
-- AFP
=========================================