An Iraqi insurgent group put a US$100,000-bounty on Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, an internet statement said Monday.

The Islamic Army in Iraq said it put on Jaafari's head US$100,000, US$50,000 for Interior Minister Bayan Jabor Sulagh and US$30,000 for Defense Minister Sadoun al-Dulaimi.

"The leadership of the army has ordered all the mujahideen to intensify their attacks and to avenge the mass devastation of Tal Afar," said the statement posted on an Islamic website.

The authenticity of the statement could not be verified.

On Sunday, another Internet statement said several Iraqi insurgent groups threatened to use chemical and non-conventional weapons against the US-Iraqi troops if "the attack against Tal Afaris not stopped" within 24 hours.

Iraqi and US forces are engaged in a major offensive to rid the northern town of Tal Afar of insurgents. The military said they have killed over one hundred insurgents and more suspects were captured.

"The Iraqi resistance prepared unprecedented strikes against the US occupation bases and its agent government," said the statement posted on an Islamic website.

The statement threatened to use chemical weapons "developed by the resistance elements to cause more casualties to the US soldiers and their collaborators."

It said the deadline given to the US and Iraqi troops will expire by Monday dawn.

Tal Afar, some 420 km north of Baghdad, is believed to be a stronghold for foreign fighters and insurgents against the US and Iraqi government forces.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari vowed on Saturday to "hit with iron fist to get rid of the saboteur groups and restore the security and stability to Tal Afar."

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2005)