Iraq group says holding 4 Russians in Iraq-Web

DUBAI, June 19 (Reuters) A group linked to Iraq's al Qaeda today said it was holding four Russian ''diplomats'' hostage in Iraq and gave Moscow 48 hours to pull out from Chechnya and free Muslim prisoners, according to an Internet statement.

The statement from the Mujahideen Shura Council said it had abducted the four and killed a fifth Russian. The group appeared to be referring to an attack on June 3 in which a Russian embassy employee was shot dead in Baghdad and four others were abducted.

The authenticity of the statement could not be verified.

REUTERS SHB HT1910