Iraq's al Qaeda says to kill Russian hostages-Web

DUBAI, June 21 (Reuters) A group led by al Qaeda in Iraq today said it has decided to kill four Russian hostages after Moscow failed to meet demands to withdraw from Chechnya and free Muslim prisoners, according to an Internet posting.

''After granting the Russian government 48 hours to meet our demands and their failure to do so ... the Islamic court of the Mujahideen Shura Council ruled to kill them (hostages),'' said the statement posted on a Web site often used by militants.

''And let them be an example for those who follow them and challenge the mujahideen and dare to step foot in the land of honour, Iraq.'' The statement's authenticity could not be verified and it was unclear when the hostages might be killed.

Four Russian embassy staff were kidnapped and a fifth was shot dead when gunmen blocked their vehicle in a Baghdad district on June 3.

On Monday, the Mujahideen Shura Council said it was holding the four Russians and gave Moscow 48 hours to meet its demands.

In Moscow, the Foreign Ministry urged the group not to kill the hostages and to heed calls for their release.

''We once again strongly appeal for them not to take an irretrievable step and to keep our people alive,'' ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said in the statement.

''Those who carried out this action should also listen to the numerous appeals from the most authoritative figures in the Islamic world who are pressing for the earliest possible release of the Russian citizens.'' Iraq's al Qaeda has killed a number of foreign hostages, some by beheading.

The Mujahideen Shura Council, an umbrella body composed of al Qaeda in Iraq and several other Sunni militant groups, has pledged to continue a holy war against US-led forces despite the killing of the leader of Iraq's al Qaeda, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Chechen rebels yesterday demanded the release of the hostages.

Akhmed Zakayev, the exiled foreign minister in the Chechen rebel ''government'', denied any links to the Mujahideen Shura Council.

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