Free Republic

A militant Islamist leader whose forces have just conquered two-thirds of the West African state of Mali vows to launch holy war against the West. Omar Ould Hamaha, the military commander of Ansar Dine, or "Defenders of the Faith", which has scored a stunning victory in Mali against the failed state's armed forces, now controls a region larger than France which includes three paved runways that could be used to fly in weapons or drugs. He said: "Even if they (western forces) don't come here, when we have finished conquering France, we will come to the USA, we will come...

A BRITISH holidaymaker taken hostage while travelling in north Africa has been beheaded by Al Qaeda ­terrorists. Edwin Dyer, 60, had been attending a music festival near the Niger–Mali border when he was captured in January along with fellow tourists. His captors had demanded the release of preacher of hate Abu Qatada who is held in a UK jail. But the grisly execution at the weekend came after two deadlines passed and it was made clear to the terrorists their demands would not be met. Gordon Brown called it an appalling act of barbaric terrorism. He said the terrorists would...