TOKYO, April 9: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi vowed on Friday not to pull troops out of Iraq despite a tearful appeal from relatives of three Japanese hostages being held by militants for an immediate withdrawal.

"We must not yield to 'terrorists' foul threats," Koizumi told reporters after a group, the "Mujahedeen Brigades," threatened to burn the hostages alive unless Tokyo pulled out its troops.

"There is no plan" to withdraw troops from Iraq, Koizumi said, adding the government would "do our utmost so that they (kidnap victims) will be released immediately." Families of the three victims met Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and pleaded for the troops to be pulled from Iraq. Kawaguchi voiced her sympathy for them but said Tokyo would act "firmly."

Some 20 civic group members rallied in front of Koizumi's office demanding the troops be pulled out to save the hostages. Another demonstration was due to take place in front of parliament, according to anti-war group Peace Boat. Earlier the government launched a special task force to handle the crisis.

EVACUATION: Meanwhile, Japan's government has decided to organize an airlift to evacuate Japanese civilians in Iraq to neighbouring Kuwait. -Agencies