Al-Qaida and the Algerian kidnapped diplomats

In a statement on the Internet, the leader of al-Qaida organization in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, threatened to kill the Algerian charge de affairs, Ali Bal'arousi, and the other diplomat Ezz Eddine Balqadi, who were kidnapped in Baghdad since five days.

In the statement which is very difficult to verify its authenticity, the group warned that Arab and Muslim diplomats in Iraq will meet the same fate. Al-Qaida issued on a site on the Internet video shots of the kidnapped Algerian diplomats. Earlier, al-Qaida organization in Iraq publsihed on the Internet photos of ID papers said to be for Bal'arousi.

On Monday, the Iraqi police said that its security forces detained two persons suspected to have links to the kidnapping operation. Algeria's reaction to the kidnapping was its announcement to withdraw its other diplomats in Iraq.