We'll behead American couple, say rebels

A Muslim extremist rebel leader has threatened to behead an American couple before the Philippine president’s visit to the United States next month, if the army does not halt its offensive on the group.

Abu Sabaya, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf rebels in the southern Philippines, suspected of having links with terror chief Osama bin Laden, claimed he would kill missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, of Wichita, Kansas, ahead of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s planned trip on November 20 to meet US President George Bush.