[Maghrebia] Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb posted an internet statement on Saturday (April 25th) threatening to kill a British hostage held in Mali if terror suspect Abu Qatada is not released within 20 days, Maghreb and international press reported on Monday. The Jordanian cleric, considered Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, is currently detained in Britain pending deportation to his home country. Al-Qaeda issued the demand days after releasing in Mali four foreign hostages kidnapped last winter, including the UN special envoy to Niger and two female tourists from Germany and Switzerland. Terrorists continue to hold two male hostages, a Swiss and a Briton. |