Bulgarian hostage executed in Iraq

BAGHDAD – Militants in Iraq executed a captive Bulgarian trucker, as the Philippines, despite US opposition, announced yesterday it has begun pulling its troops out of Iraq after demands to do so from extremists threatening to kill a Filipino hostage.

The Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera said on Tuesday it had received a video of the beheading purportedly carried out by the Tahid wal Jihad group led by suspected al Qaeda operative Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi. The Bulgarian government confirmed the execution.The group threatened to kill a second Bulgarian hostage unless the US military released Iraqi prisoners within 24 hours, Al-Jazeera said.Truck drivers Ivailo Kepov et Georgy Lazov were taken hostage near the northern Iraqi town of Mosul last Thursday.Foreign Minister Solomon Passy appealed to the kidnappers to show “pity for the poor and the sick” in keeping with the Islamic faith as Lavoz suffered from diabetes and Kepov had apoplexy.The Bulgarian government, which has 470 soldiers in Iraq, has vowed not to bow to “blackmail”.Since the initial deadline for its hostages expired on Friday, the nation has been gripped by anxiety about the fate of the two men.- Nampa-AFPThe Bulgarian government confirmed the execution.The group threatened to kill a second Bulgarian hostage unless the US military released Iraqi prisoners within 24 hours, Al-Jazeera said.Truck drivers Ivailo Kepov et Georgy Lazov were taken hostage near the northern Iraqi town of Mosul last Thursday.Foreign Minister Solomon Passy appealed to the kidnappers to show “pity for the poor and the sick” in keeping with the Islamic faith as Lavoz suffered from diabetes and Kepov had apoplexy.The Bulgarian government, which has 470 soldiers in Iraq, has vowed not to bow to “blackmail”.Since the initial deadline for its hostages expired on Friday, the nation has been gripped by anxiety about the fate of the two men.- Nampa-AFP