An Iraqi group claims it has taken a Filipino working for US-led forces hostage and threatens to kill him if the Philippines did not withdraw its forces from Iraq within 72 hours. (Aljazeera.net)

An Iraqi group captured a Filipino as hostage and threaten to kill him if the Philippine government does not withdraw its troops from the country within 72 hours, according to a video broadcast by Al-Jazeera Arabic channel television.

The Filipino abducted was reportedly employed by a Saudi company working with US troops based in Iraq. He was kidnapped by an armed group calling itself the "Khaled Ibn al-Walid Brigade" linked to the "Islamic Army in Iraq," Al-Jazeera said.

Television footage showed a man sitting on his knees, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, and surrounded by three masked men touting guns and reading their threat from a statement.

The group also said it had killed an Iraqi security guard who was with the Filipino.

An identity card bearing the picture of an Iraqi and a company card on which was written: Hafidh H. Amer, Security Officer, was also broadcast by Al-Jazeera.

The Philippines has about 50 military personnel in Iraq.