DUBAI, July 21 (AFP) - A group calling itself "Black Flags" has taken six people hostage in Iraq and threatened to behead them if the Kuwaiti firm for which they work does not pull out of the country, in a video aired by Al-Arabiya television on Wednesday.
It said the hostages were three Indians, two Kenyans and an Egyptian.
The Egyptian embassy in Baghdad confirmed that an Egyptian trucker, Mohammed Ali, had been kidnapped by a group called the "Black Flags".
He was seized barely 48 hours after another Egyptian truck driver had been released by another group.
"We announce that we have taken two Kenyans, three Indians and one Egyptian captive," said one of the hooded gunmen who appeared on the video with a group of presumed hostages.
He said their company should leave Iraq and close its offices there, threatening to behead a hostage every 72 hours if it does not.
The video showed an Egyptian who said his name was Mohammed Ali Sanad pleading with his company to leave.
"The states to which they (hostages) belong must announce the withdrawal of their employees and soldiers from Iraq within 72 hours starting 8:00 pm (1600 GMT) today, Wednesday 21/07," said the gunmen`s spokesman.
Al-Arabiya pointed out that none of the three countries concerned has troops in Iraq.
But the armed group could have also been referring to diplomatic and other staff.
In a message to Kuwait, "seat of treachery and collaboration," the spokesman said: "We swear by God Almighty that every Kuwaiti company which deals with the Americans -- the enemies of God and His prophet -- will be treated like the Americans are treated," meaning it will come under attack by Iraqi insurgents.