New disturbing video of Margaret Hassan was too graphic to broadcast

The kidnappers of aid worker Margaret Hassan threatened to turn her over to an &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/columnists/2002/09/04/35994.html ' target=_blank>al-Qaida affiliated group within 48 hours if the British government refuses to pull its troops from Iraq, Al-Jazeera television reported Tuesday.

Al-Jazeera broadcast a video of a hooded gunman but did not air the sound. Instead, the newscaster said the kidnappers gave Britain 48 hours to meet their demands, ''primarily the withdrawal'' of &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2003/03/20/44710.html ' target=_blank>British troops. Otherwise, the 59-year-old Hassan will be handed over to the al-Qaida in Iraq group, headed by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The group has beheaded a number of other hostages, including three Americans and a Briton, reports Boston Globe.

According to the Ireland Online, the newscaster said the station declined to broadcast the entire tape because "of the hostage’s condition".