Beheading threat heightens tensions as Bush visits Turkey

Militants loyal to suspected al-Qaida terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi have threatened to behead three Turkish hostages, fanning tensions as President Bush visited Turkey.

The Arab television station Al-Jazeera aired a video issued by the kidnappers, showing the three Turks kneeling on the ground in front of two black-clothed gunmen and a black banner emblazoned with the name of al-Zarqawi’s organisation. The men held up Turkish passports.