Turkey has rejected demands from gunmen in Iraq who are threatening to behead three Turkish hostages.
Militants linked to reputed al-Qaida terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi say they will behead their captives by Tuesday unless Turkish companies immediately end support for the United States and its allies in Iraq. Militants beheaded a South Korean hostage last week.
In Istanbul, Turkish defense minister Vecdi Gonul told reporters his country has been fighting terrorism for more than two decades, and said such demands have never succeeded.
Meanwhile, the pan-Arabic al-Jazeera television network is airing footage of three hostages holding passports while crouched in front of masked gunmen.
The United States is offering a $10 million reward for the capture of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who has claimed responsibility for a string of deadly attacks across Iraq this year.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.