Al-Qaida in Iraq said Thursday it had decided to kill two Moroccan Embassy employees it kidnapped last month, according to an Internet statement.

"The legislative authority of al-Qaida organization in Iraq has decided to carry God's law against the infidels and has ruled to kill them," the group said.

It was not clear from the statement when the killings would be carried out. The statement's authenticity could not be verified.

The posting, on an Islamist website often used by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's al-Qaida group, did not show any pictures or videos of them being killed.

"After the court looked into the detainees' case, it was proven, without any doubt, that they are followers of the despots (the United States) and infidel Moroccan Government," the group said.

"They added to their heresy and their war on Islam by allying themselves to the outcast government in Baghdad, and this has been confirmed by their confessions."

On Tuesday, the group said it would put the two Moroccans, driver Abderrahim Boualam and assistant Abdelkrim El Mouhafidim, on trial. They were seized late last month.

The announcement coincided with the beginning of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

The group had warned Arab and Muslim governments against sending envoys to Baghdad to recognize what it says is an infidel government allied with the United States.

"Let this be a new lesson for anyone who dares to challenge the mujahideen and has the guts to step into Iraq and think their diplomatic immunity will protect them," the group said.

Earlier this year, two Algerian diplomats working in Baghdad were killed by Zarqawi's group.

Guerrilla strikes have driven diplomats from the Iraqi capital, undermining the US-backed government's efforts to gain support among Arab countries.

Also Thursday, al-Qaida in Iraq claimed to have shot down a US attack helicopter that crashed west of Baghdad, killing its two Marine crewmembers.

"Brethren in al-Qaida in Iraq's military wing downed a Super Cobra attack helicopter in Ramadi with a Strella rocket, thanks be to God," the group said in a statement that was posted on an Islamist web forum often used for its claims.

(China Daily November 4, 2005)