'We would free hostage' - Zarqawi group message

Insurgent group al-Qaida in Iraq today called for the release of the kidnapped Irish executive of the CARE charity, Margaret Hassan – and promised to free her if she fell into their hands.

In a message posted on the Internet, the group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, said it wanted the world to know that “if (the kidnappers of Margaret Hassan) handed us this captive, we will release her immediately unless it is proven she was conspiring against Muslims”.