Mutilated body may be Margaret Hassan's: reports

Forensics test are being carried out on the mutilated corpse of a Western woman found in west Fallujah to assess whether it is the body of murdered aid worker Margaret Hassan, according to news agency reports emerging today.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the body, which was discovered on Sunday by a Marine unit fighting in Fallujah, has been already been flown out of the country for DNA testing.

Al Jazeera revealed on Tuesday that it had been sent a videotape showing the execution of a blindfolded female hostage.

While there has been no official confirmation that the victim was indeed Mrs Hassan, there is little doubt that the tape does record her execution. The footage shows a masked man shooting a hostage in the head. Al Jazeera has said that it will not broadcast the tape on the grounds of public decency.

Fifty-nine-year-old Margaret Hassan was kidnapped in Baghdad on October 19. Her captors released three videotapes which showed the aid worker pleading for her life.

A church memorial service was held for Mrs Hassan in her hometown of Kenmare, Co Kerry, yesterday.

There is only one other Western female hostage being held in Iraq - 54-year-old Polish national Teresa Borcz Khalifa.

Offering his deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Margaret Hassan, the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the aid worker's execution as "brutal" and "indefensible".

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Annan said: "The work of Ms Hassan in Iraq will be remembered by all in Iraq and beyond as an example of human solidarity."

In a press briefing yesterday, a White House spokesperson joined in condemning "that barbaric act in the strongest possible terms".

The spokesperson added: "It shows the true nature of the terrorists. They have no regard for innocent civilian life. She was there to provide help to the Iraqi people. She was an aid worker who dedicated her life to helping the Iraqi people, helping those in need in that country."

(gmcg/sp)