US State department confirm beheading

Iraqi kidnappers tonight beheaded an American on video – but said two more Western hostages, including British man Kenneth Bigley, would have the deadline for their executions delayed by 24 hours.

The US State Department has confirmed a body has been recovered, and efforts were being made to positively identify it. But an anonymous US official said that it was Mr Armstrong’s body that had been recovered.

The announcement was made as a video was released on a website showing the apparent beheading of American Eugene Armstrong.

The deadline extension will increase the agony for Bigley’s family, who are anxiously awaiting news of his fate.

In the video, five black-garbed men stand behind the figure of a sobbing man. One read out a statement, then appeared to pull a knife, rush to the blindfolded hostage from behind and cut his throat until the head was severed.

The hostage takers are demanding the release of Iraqi women from jails.

The speaker also appeared to delay the threatened time of the killing of the other two hostages.

“The fate of the first infidel was cutting off the head before your eyes and ears. You have a 24-hour opportunity. Abide by our demand in full and release all the Muslim women, otherwise the head of the other will follow this one,” the speaker said.

He appeared to indicate the hostages would be killed one at a time and did not specify whether Jack Hensley or Mr Bigley would be next.

A video released early on Saturday morning warned the men would be murdered unless women prisoners were released within 48 hours.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s group Tawhid and Jihad has demanded that women allegedly held by coalition authorities in the Abu Ghraib and Umm Qasr prisons be let out.

The US military says no women are held at either facility, though it says two female “security prisoners” are held elsewhere.

Alleged al Qaida supporter al-Zarqawi’s organisation is the group which claimed it beheaded American Nicholas Berg.

Al-Zarqawi has been named as the link between Iraq and Osama bin Laden’s terror network, and is accused of orchestrating a spate of suicide bombings and attacks in the Middle East country.

In a statement tonight, a UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “The British Government utterly condemns the kidnapping and murder of all innocent civilians.

“This appalling crime strengthens our resolve to work with the Iraqi Government and people to bring security, stability and democracy to Iraq.

“Our thoughts now are with Eugene Armstrong’s family and the families of Kenneth Bigley and Jack Hensley.”

Britain and Iraq are working together to secure the men’s release and earlier today, Prime Minister Tony Blair remained silent about the Government’s efforts to secure Mr Bigley’s release.

Asked for an update on the case, he said only: “I don’t think it is sensible for us to say anything at all at the present time, except to say, obviously, that we are focused on doing what we can.”

Yesterday, the family of the engineer, a father of one from Liverpool, made a desperate plea for his freedom, begging that he be allowed to return home “safe and sound”.

In a statement issued to Arab media, his brother Philip said: “Ken has enjoyed working in the Arab world for the last 10 years in civil engineering and has many Arabic friends and is understanding and appreciative of the Islamic culture.

“His love of the area is what has kept him there for so many years and is the reason he was prepared to help in Baghdad where many others would be worried for their own safety.

“He wanted to help the ordinary Iraqi people and is just doing his job.”

The Foreign Office last night issued an appeal in Arabic on the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV station for help in locating the men.

Iraq’s leaders have vowed not to give in to the terrorists.

The country’s Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, in London for talks with PM Tony Blair yesterday and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw today, said his interim government would not negotiate:

“Our principal drive is not to negotiate with hostage-takers and not to negotiate with terrorists, and this is where we find our strength is.”

Mr Bigley, the twice-married father of 33-year-old Craig, was kidnapped with Americans Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong from the garden of their home in the wealthy al-Mansour district of Baghdad without a struggle.

The three were working for Middle East-based Gulf Supplies and Commercial Services.

Footage of them blindfolded and with their hands apparently bound, was shown on Arab TV station Al-Jazeera over the weekend.

Mr Bigley was said to have ignored threats and advice to leave Iraq because of the dangers facing foreign workers.

His brother Paul, 54, told The Sun newspaper: “I would fly to Baghdad now and exchange myself for him, that’s how much I love him. Ken is such a good guy, he is my best mate.”