Al-Qaida threatens European countries

A GROUP claiming to represent al-Qaida in Europe repeated threats against Britain, Italy, Bulgaria and other nations in a web statement yesterday.

But the statement denied that the group, calling itself Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigade Europe, had demanded that Italy withdraw its troops from Iraq within 15 days. The ultimatum was posted on the web on Sunday.

The statement, monitored in Cairo, was one in a series of claims and counterclaims in recent days.