Manila renews rejection of early withdrawal from Iraq

Manila yesterday renewed its rejection of an early withdrawal for its forces deployed in Iraq, as demanded by the kidnappers of the Philippine's hostage who threaten to behead him if his government will not meet their demands.

In a new warning broadcast by al-Jazeera TV on Saturday, the kidnappers demanded Manila to withdraw its 51- troops unit on July 20 and gave it a grace period until Sunday evening to respond to their demands.

Also, Bulgaria announced yesterday that the two Bulgarian hostages held by al-Zarqawi group in Iraq are still alive. The Bulgarian foreign minister Solomon Basi said " there are no information indicate the occurrence of a new development in the situation." The " al-Tawhid Wal- Jihad " group threatened to slaughter the two hostages within 24 hours if the American forces will not release the Iraqi detainees held in its jails.

Armed men announced in a video tape broadcast by al-Arabia satellite TV yesterday announced their determination to kill Pakistani hostages in case the Yemeni President B. Musharraf will not announce the closure of the Pakistani embassy in Baghdad.