AL-QAIDA leader Osama bin Laden called for a long war against “infidels and their agents” and warned Muslims that alliances with Christians and Jews would turn them into apostates.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahearn is to appear on Al Jazeera television this evening to appeal for the release of the latest hostage in Iraq.

There are reports that three Egyptian hostages have been freed in Iraq.

Two Italian women aid workers, kidnapped in Iraq three weeks ago, have been released, Al Jazeera television reported today.

MUSLIM militants in Iraq threatened to behead a South Korean hostage by last night unless his country scrapped plans to send 3,000 more troops — a demand rejected by Seoul.

INSURGENTS have attacked an Iraqi oil pipeline, setting off a huge blaze and slashing the country’s daily oil exports by around 25%.

Insurgents blasted an oil pipeline, setting off a huge blaze and slashing Iraq’s daily oil exports by around 25%.

A FOREIGN security guard and two Iraqis were killed in a second day of violence in Basra yesterday in which British troops fired warning shots as crowds attacked vehicles and blocked streets with burning tires.

A spokesman for Osama bin Laden’s militant group has urged all Muslims to wage holy war on Americans across the world.