Al Qaeda threatens to kill two Moroccan hostages

DUBAI - Al Qaeda in Iraq said yesterday that it had decided to kill two Moroccan embassy employees it kidnapped last month, according to an Internet statement.

"The legislative authority of al Qaeda organisation in Iraq has decided to carry God's law against the infidels and has ruled to kill them," the group said.

It was not clear from the statement when the killings would be carried out. The statement's authenticity could not be verified.

The posting, on an Islamist Web site often used by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Al Qaeda group, did not show any pictures or videos of them being killed.

"After the court looked into the detainees' case, it was proven, without any doubt, that they are followers of the despots (US) and infidel Moroccan government," the group said.

"They added to their heresy and their war on Islam by allying themselves to the outcast government in Baghdad, and this has been confirmed by their confessions."

On Tuesday, the group said it would put the two Moroccans, driver Abderrahim Boualam and assistant Abdelkrim El Mouhafidim, on trial.

- REUTERS