ROME, Aug 23 (AFP) - No changes are being made to the programme for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's visit to Libya this week despite Islamist threats, Italian government sources said Monday.
The Italian news agency Ansa quoted sources close to Berlusconi as confirming that he would meet Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi Wednesday, probably in the coastal town of Sirte.
A previously unknown group threatened to kill Libyan officials if Tripoli went ahead with the Berlusconi visit in a statement posted on an Islamist website Monday.
"If the vile Berlusconi visits Libya and is received by the Libyan government, we have decided ... to open the door of jihad (holy war)," the Abu Bakr al-Liby Group said.
"There will be a contract on the head of every Libyan minister and official."
The group called on Tripoli not to receive a key US ally "whose hands have been stained with Muslim blood in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Muslim countries."
Berlusconi and Kadhafi are expected to concentrate on stemming illegal immigration and combatting terrorism.
Libya is a jumping off point for most of the the African illegal immigrants who land in Sicily or are picked up at sea by Italian rescuers.
Libya is also Italy's main oil supplier.
The two men met for talks in Sirte in February.