BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) – Iraq’s interim president lashed out yesterday at guerrillas who have killed hundreds of Iraqis in recent months, promising to use a “very sharp sword” against anyone threatening Iraq’s security.

The 2-week-old Iraqi government has been discussing offering a limited amnesty to militants to put down the 14-month-old insurgency. But it has also been talking increasingly tough about those who continue to carry out deadly attacks across the country.

“Terrorism isn’t just killing and blowing up bombs. whoever threatens the ordinary life of the people is a terrorist,”

President Ghazi al-Yawer told reporters. “We have a very sharp sword ready for anyone who threatens the security of this country.”

Al-Yawer’s words appeared carefully chosen, reflecting a classical Arab symbol of might in the sword and threatening militants, some of whom have beheaded hostages, with their own chosen weapon.

Meanwhile, insurgents holding a Filipino truck driver hostage announced yesterday he had been moved to the place where he was to be executed if the Philippines did not agree to remove their troops from Iraq, according to a video and a statement read on the pan-Arab television station Al-Jazeera.

The Philippines responded early this morning with a televised appeal to the kidnappers asking for mercy.