A group claiming links to al Qaeda called on its fighters to attack "all targets" in Italy after it ignored the group's Aug. 15 deadline for Italian troops to quit Iraq, an Internet statement said Sunday.

The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades said Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was one of its main targets, adding that its forthcoming attacks would not stop until "Iraq is secure."

"The Italian government has dug its own grave after it heeded the top infidel America and remained in Iraq to shed blood ... which is why it is responsible for all the blood that will flow in Italy," the statement said.

Its authenticity could not be immediately verified.

The group has repeatedly threatened Italy and has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks, including the Madrid train bombings in March, but has not been officially linked to any of them.

Source: CD/Agencies