Ready to trade UK hostage for cleric

Al-Qaedas North African affiliate offered to free a British hostage if London allows a cleric described as a leading figure in the terror group in Europe to leave Britain for another country

Al-Qaedas North African affiliate Monday offered to free a British hostage if London allows a cleric described as a leading figure in the terror group in Europe to leave Britain for another country.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb,in a statement posted on a militant website Monday,said it would release Stephen Malcolm if the cleric Abu Qatada were let go. It warned that the UK government would be responsible for the consequences if it follows through on a plan to deport him to Jordan,where he faces trial on terror charges.

London has been trying

to expel the Palestinian-Jordanian since 2001,but the European Court of Human Rights ruled he could not be deported to Jordan because of a risk that evidence obtained through torture would be used against him there.

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We offer the British government an initiative to release its citizen Stephen Malcolm…. who is our prisoner,if it allows Sheik Abu Qatada to leave to one of Arab Spring countries or any other country of his choice where he guarantees his freedom and,rights and dignity, it said.

Malcolm was kidnapped in Timbuktu in November.

Britain hasnt commented on the proposal. We dont engage with terrorists in these matters, an official said.

Al-Qaeda denied Abu Qatada has any ties to it,but said it was defending him because allegiances to a Muslim brother should come ahead of other concerns.