Islamic militant group gives Italy 24-hour ultimatum on hostages

An Islamic militant group has given Italy 24 hours to promise the release of Muslim women from Iraqi prisons in exchange for information about the two abducted Italian women aid workers, a statement released on a website said Friday.

"We want Italy to promise unconditionally to release all Muslim women prisoners from Iraqi prisons. In turn we will give a little information about the two Italian women held hostages," said the group calling itself Ansar al-Zawahiri.

The statement which could not be independently confirmed, gave the Italian government 24 hours to meet the group's demands, otherwise, "the Italian people will never know the fate of the Italian women hostages," the statement said.

Simona Pari and Simon Torretta, both aged 29, were seized from their Baghdad office along with two Iraqi colleagues and another woman on Tuesday.

Ansar al-Zawahiri translates as supporters or upholders of Zawahiri, the No. 2 of Al-Qaida.

Italy was a key supporter of the US-led invasion of Iraq last year and is the third largest contributor to coalition forces with around 3,000 troops stationed largely in southern Iraq.