AL-QAEDA’S North Africa branch has renewed its threat to kill a captive Briton if London does not release a Muslim cleric but has extended the deadline by 15days, according to Site Intelligence, a US group which monitors Islamist websites.

Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure was reported on April 25 as saying his country is doing all it can to free two remaining hostages out of six kidnapped by Islamic extremists in the Sahel region in separate incidents in December and January.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb announced the 15-day extension for “Britain to heed its demands” in order to secure the release of the hostage, identified as Edwen Dyer, said Site.

The Islamists had on April 26 given the British government 20 days to release Palestinian cleric Abu Qatada, who is currently held in a British prison, failing which, they said, they would execute their hostage. The 15-day extension is “one last chance”, they said.

“Through this statement, we ask the family of the kidnapped to pressure their government and we assure them that this additional period will not be repeated. It is one precious and last opportunity for them and their government before the threat is executed. He is forgiven who has warned.”

Two Canadian diplomats and two European women tourists were released and flown to the Malian capital Bamako, but Swiss Gabriella Greitner’s husband Werner and the Briton, who has not officially been identified, are still being held. — Sapa-AFP