SAMARRA, Iraq, Sept 13 (AFP) - Two Australians and two East Asians have been kidnapped in Iraq, said a statement in the name of the Islamic Secret Army handed out in the Sunni Muslim insurgent bastion of Samarra on Monday.
The statement gave Canberra a 24-hour deadline to end its interests in Iraq or see the hostages executed, but there was no immediate confirmation of the ultimatum`s authenticity.
"One of our brave brigades ambushed civilian cars belonging to the American army on the motorway from Baghdad to (the main northern city of) Mosul," said the statement from the so-called Horror Brigades dated Monday.
"It took four prisoners, two Australians and two East Asian nationals who were working as security contractors for important people," it said.
"We tell the infidels of Australia that they have 24 hours to leave Iraq or the two Australians will be killed without a second chance."
Australia took part in last year`s US-led invasion and still maintains 850 troops in Iraq.
"The (Australian) prime minister (John Howard) must announce the withdrawal personally if he is concerned about his two citizens," said the statement.
The Australian embassy was not immediately available for comment.
The self-styled Horror Brigades calls itself the northern armed wing of the Secret Islamic Army.
On August 31, the Horror Brigades claimed it had killed three "Mossad (Israeli intelligence) agents" in Iraq and was holding another hostage along with a Turkish truck driver accused of working for US-led troops.
Earlier this month, the Secret Islamic Army`s Holders of the Black Banners brigade released three Indian, three Kenyan and an Egyptian truck driver six weeks after they were taken hostage.