Iraqi militants threatened in an Internet video today to kill one British and two American hostages unless US forces released female prisoners from two jails within 48 hours.
The footage from the Tawhid and Jihad Group of suspected al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, posted on several web sites, showed three men kneeling on the ground and blindfolded with what appeared to be tape, as a black-hooded man stood behind them with a weapon pointed at the head of one.
"Tawhid and Jihad sets a 48-hour deadline for the release of all our Muslim sisters in Abu Ghraib and Umm Qasr prisons or else, by God, these three hostages will have their throats slit to set an example," said the militant.
But the US military said no women were being held at Abu Ghraib or at Camp Bucca near Umm Qasr.
Baghdad's Abu Ghraib is the scene of past abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US guards that caused international outrage and has led to criminal proceedings.
The hostages identified themselves on camera.
"My name is Jack Hensley and my job consists of installing and furnishing camps at Taji base," one man said. The other two identified themselves as Mr Eugene Armstrong and Mr Kenneth John Bigley and said they installed and furnished camps at Taji base.
At least 26 foreign hostages have been killed since kidnappings began in April. Many Arab and Western hostages are currently being held, and the French and Italian governments have faced crises over the kidnapping of their nationals.
France and Italy this month launched diplomatic missions in the region in an attempt to secure the release of two French journalists and two female Italian aid workers being held.
British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair said his government was doing all in its power to help but he avoided a public response to the insurgents threatening to kill British hostage Mr Bigley.