Hassan videotape warning

THE Iraqi kidnappers of Irish-born British aid worker Margaret Hassan have threatened to turn her over to the group that beheaded British hostage Ken Bigley.

The Arabic television network al-Jazeera said it had received a videotape saying Hassan would be handed over to al-Qaida associate Abu Musab Zarqawi within 48 hours if Britain did not withdraw its troops from Iraq.

More chilling, the network said it would not broadcast the full contents of the video because “of the hostage’s condition.”

However, a source told The Times of London it shows 59-year-old Hassan pleading for her life directly to the camera before suddenly fainting.

A bucket of water is then believed to have been thrown over her head and she is filmed lying wet and helpless on the ground before getting up and crying.

Hassan was abducted on October 19 near her office, where she works for CARE.