DUBAI, Aug 15 (AFP) - A group linked to Al-Qaeda purportedly threatened Sunday to launch attacks throughout Italy and target Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi following the expiry of an ultimatum for Rome to pull its troops out of Iraq.
"We call on all our cells to hit every target they (can) in Italy, and to repeat the blows forcefully, until the (Italian) government pulls out of Iraq," said a statement signed by the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades-Al-Qaeda organization, and posted on an Islamist website.
"We declare that Berlusconi is targeted, and his head will be the price for the crimes that his (troops) are perpetrating and continue to perpetrate in Iraq," said the statement, whose authenticity could not be confirmed.
The group had in previous similar statements threatened to attack Italian targets both in Italy and elsewhere unless Rome withdrew its troops from Iraq by August 15.
Italy has been a staunch supporter of the US-led invasion of Iraq and maintains about 3,000 troops in the country.
Italian authorities boosted security in cities, ports, train stations, subways and airports ahead of the deadline.
"The Italian government dug its own grave by following America, the head of infidelity, and remaining in Iraq ... Hence it is to blame for all the blood that will be shed in Italy after the expiry of the deadline we previously set," said Sunday`s statement posted on (ansarnet.ws) site.
By remaining silent, the Italian people showed that "there is no difference between civilians and military" personnel in Italy and "have also dug their own grave," it said.
"Today we declare (the start of) a bloody war. The earth will shake under the feet of every Italian, God willing. We call on all mujahedeen (Islamic fighters) to start attacks everywhere, and not hesitate to set all of Rome ablaze," the statement said.
In an August 7 statement posted on the Internet, the group called on its cells in Italy to be ready to hit targets in the country starting August 15.
On August 1, the pan-Arab newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported receiving a statement in the name of the same group which threatened to attack Italians everywhere unless Rome pulled its troops out of Iraq within 15 days.
The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades had also threatened Italy on July 16 with a bloodbath on the scale of the September 11, 2001 attacks which killed thousands in the United States if Berlusconi remained in power.
The Brigades claimed responsibility for the March 11 train bombings in Madrid which killed 191 people, as well as for November 2003 bombings in Istanbul that killed 25 people.
Abu Hafs al-Masri headed Al-Qaeda military operations until he was killed in the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.