Al-Qaeda threat to attack Italy

Italy has around 3,000 troops in Iraq

A group said to be linked to al-Qaeda has warned Italy to expect attacks if a deadline to withdraw troops from Iraq is not met.

The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades said its cells in Rome and other Italian cities were "prepared and ready to carry out their mission" after 15 August.

"You won't feel safe in your homes. Each place will be a target," it warned in a statement on its website.

Last weekend, the group gave Italy 15 days to withdraw its forces from Iraq.

The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades has previously issued threats against European countries for not responding to a "truce" issued to them by the al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, which expired in July.

The group also claimed responsibility for the Madrid train bombings in March.