Militants kidnap Allawi family members

GUNMEN abducted three members of Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's family from their Baghdad home and threatened yesterday that they would be beheaded in two days if the siege of Fallujah was not lifted.

A cousin of the premier, Ghazi Allawi, the cousin's wife and their daughter-in-law were snatched on Tuesday night from their house in the western Yarmouk neighbourhood, government spokesman Thair al-Naqeeb said.

"Ghazi Allawi is 75 years old. He has no political affiliation, and is not holding a government post," the statement said.

A group calling itself Ansar al-Jihad claimed it carried out the abductions and threatened to behead the three in 48 hours unless Mr Allawi and his government release all detainees in Iraq and lift the Fallujah siege.

"We promise Allah and his messenger that if the agent government doesn't respond to our demands within 48 hours, they will be beheaded," the group said on a website

The authenticity of the claim could not be verified.

Hundreds of Iraqis have been kidnapped in recent months, mainly by groups demanding ransom payments.

More than 170 foreigners have been kidnapped by insurgents in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's regime fell in April 2003. More than 30 foreign hostages have been killed. Many of the kidnappers pursue political motives such as the withdrawal of foreign companies and troops from Iraq.