Iraqi terror group threatens to execute British journalist

Militants in Iraq kidnapped a British Sunday Telegraph journalist in the southern city of Basra today and threatened to kill him if US forces did not pull out from the Shiite holy city of Najaf in 24 hours.

The journalist was taken from the Diyafah Hotel by around 30 gunmen, including some dressed as police, said Captain Hashem Abdullah of the Iraqi police.

He was shot twice in the leg and hours later a video tape released in the city showed a hooded militant standing next to him and threatening to kill him if the attack on Najaf was not stopped.

“We demand the American forces withdraw from Najaf within 24 hours or we will kill this British hostage,” the gunman is heard saying.

The visibly shaken, barechested man is then shown on the tape.

Militants in Iraq have waged a campaign of kidnapping aimed at driving out individuals, companies and troops supporting US forces and the new Iraqi interim administration.

Scores of hostages have been kidnapped by armed groups. Some have been freed but nine have been killed.

Hotel owner Mohammed Uglah said gunmen found the journalist and shot him twice in the leg before taking him away.