An Islamist Web site on Friday posted three photographs showing that American hostage Paul Johnson, kidnapped a week ago in Saudi Arabia by Islamic militantsconnected with al-Qaeda, was beheaded, CNN reported.

Abdel Aziz Al-Muqrin, the self-proclaimed military leader of al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia, claimed responsibility for Johnson's kidnapping and the death of another American, Kenneth Scroggs, on the same day on behalf of a group called the Al Falluja Squadron.

The group issued a 72-hour ultimatum on Tuesday, threatening tokill Johnson unless the Saudi government released al-Qaeda prisoners and all Westerners got out of the Arabian Peninsula.

A statement posted on the Web site said: "We slaughtered the American hostage Paul Johnson after the deadline we gave to the Saudi tyrants."

Johnson, 49, had been kidnapped Saturday in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. An employee of Lockheed Martin, Johnson helped maintainthe US-built Apache helicopter gunships for the Saudi military.

Johnson's son, wife and relatives had issued emotional pleas for his release, pleading with Saudi authorities to ensure his safe return.

Source: Xinhua