Rebels threaten to behead captured US soldier

Iraqi militants are claiming to be holding an American soldier hostage and have threatened to behead him in 72 hours unless the US release Iraqi prisoners.

The website posting included a photo of what appeared to be an American soldier in uniform seated with his hands tied behind his back. A gun barrel was pointed at his head.

“God willing, we will behead him if our female and male prisoners are not released from US prisons within the maximum period of 72 hours from the time this statement has been released,” the statement said.

The claim could not be verified.

A statement posted with the picture suggested the group was holding other soldiers.

“Our mujahadeen heroes of Iraq’s Jihadi Battalion were able to capture American military man John Adam after killing a number of his comrades and capturing the rest,” said the statement, signed by the Mujahedeen Brigades.

“God willing, we will behead him if our female and male prisoners are not released from US prisons within the maximum period of 72 hours from the time this statement has been released,” the statement said.

The claim, carried on the Web site ansarnet.ws, could not be verified.

A US military spokesman in Baghdad said he had no information on the claim but “we are currently looking into it".