Al-Qaida urges Taliban to kill Prince Harry
Self-proclaimed al-Qaida supporters urged the Taliban in internet postings tonight to hunt down and kill Prince Harry after hearing that he had been sent to Afghanistan for his army service.
The calls came after a US-based website leaked the news that Harry had been in Afghanistan for the past 10 weeks with his military unit.
The British Defence Ministry has since announced he will be pulled out.
"We ask God to enable our beloved brothers in Taliban to seize this priceless booty because nothing would break the heart of his grandmother (more) than if she lost him," said a poster, who called himself the Sweeping Army in one message.
The true identities of those writing were not known. Sympathisers of al-Qaida and other Islamic radical groups not involved in fighting on the ground often send opinions to such Islamic militant forums, though fighters and members of the groups are also believed to participate.
Another poster with the user name "Terror" suggested that a film should be filmed of Harry being "slaughtered" and the clip sent to his family.
When news came today of him being withdrawn from Afghanistan, regret was expressed at the missed opportunity.
"If he had not been pulled out, his neck would have never have been so close to the knife," wrote another poster.
Harry's work in Afghanistan involved calling in airstrikes on Taliban positions as well as going out on foot patrols. He spent part of his 10-week deployment at a base 500 yards from Taliban positions.
A plan to send him to Iraq last year was cancelled after British intelligence learned of threats by militants to kill him.
Media reports said Iraqi insurgents planned to kidnap the Prince, and had circulated his photograph among militants in the southern city of Basra.
One newspaper report quoted a militia leader saying he planned to take the Prince hostage and to send him back to his grandmother "without his ears".
These internet forums are where al-Qaida posts its official messages and videos from its top leaders, though none of the entries on Prince Harry appeared to be official al-Qaida statements.
