03/11/2004

Kidnappers threaten to hand Hassan over to Zarqawi terror gang

The group holding Care aid worker Margaret Hassan has threatened to hand her over to Abu Musab Al Zarqawi's terror cell if their demands for the withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq is not met.

The threat was contained in a videotape handed over to the Arabic language news service Al Jazeera. The footage showed a distressed Mrs Hassan pleading for her life. The Qatar-based broadcaster, however, said that it would not air the tape for humanitarian reasons.

Zarqawi's terrorist group has been responsible for beheading a number of hostages including British hostage Ken Bigley last month.

Margaret Hassan, the Care charity's country director in Iraq, was abducted in Baghdad on October 19.

The international aid agency, which has been providing humanitarian relief in Iraq since the first Gulf War in 1991, suspended its activities in Iraq following the kidnapping.

Mrs Hassan's three sisters, who live in Ireland, made a television appeal yesterday alongside Irish premier Bertie Ahern pleading for her safe return.

(gmcg)

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