BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has warned the rebel-held city of Falluja it must hand over foreign militants, including America's top enemy in Iraq, or face a major operation to root them out.

    Allawi's comments set a tough condition for negotiators seeking to defuse a months-long standoff between US forces and their Sunni Muslim foes in Iraq's most rebellious city.

    Repeated US air strikes have targeted buildings the military say are used by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian militant who has claimed some of the country's bloodiest suicide bombings and hostage beheadings.

    Britain's Foreign Office warned on Wednesday that British nationals faced a direct threat of kidnapping in northern Iraq.

    Last week, engineer Ken Bigley became the first British hostage in Iraq to die. He was beheaded by followers of Zarqawi.

    (CRIENGLISH.com)