ROME, Aug. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- A militant group that is threatening Italy with terrorist attacks sent a "final warning" to the Italian people on Wednesday via the Internet, demanding Italy pull its troops out of Iraq, Italian media reported.

    The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, which claims to have links withAl-Qaeda, said in a statement issued on an Egyptian website that "this is a final warning to the Italian people."

    "Either you get rid of that incompetent Premier SilvioBerlusconi or Italy will truly burn," the group said.Over the past month, the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades has sentrepeated threats to Italy and Berlusconi, generally choosingmilitant Islamic websites to leave its messages.The group has given Berlusconi until this Sunday to issue atroop pullout order, saying they will carry out terrorist attacksif he fails to comply with their demand.

    Italy has some 3,000 troops serving in Iraq, making it thethird largest contingent after that of the United States andBritain.

    The Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades has claimed responsibility forthe March 11 terrorist attacks in Madrid and other attacks in Iraqand Turkey.

    On August 1, the group said in a statement sent to a London-based Arab-language newspaper: "We're giving Berlusconi 15 days towithdraw from Iraq. After that we will not be responsible for anyloss of life."

    It said it was "mobilizing cells everywhere in Rome and inother Italian cities." Enditem