SITE monitoring group said the Islamic State of Iraq, an Al-Qaeda branch which claimed Sunday's attack that left 46 Christians dead, gave Egypt's Coptic Church 48 hours to release the two women or it would attack Christians across the region.

"Egypt categorically rejects having its name or affairs pushed into such criminal acts," the foreign ministry said in a statement. It also "strongly condemned" the attack on the church.

The Christians, including two priests, were killed in a raid on a Baghdad cathedral to free dozens of hostages held by Al-Qaeda gunmen.

In an audiotape on SITE's website, a man who said the Islamic State of Iraq's suicide brigade was behind the kidnapping warned that the region's Christians would be targeted if the two women were not released.

The women, Camilia Shehata and Wafa Constantine, are the wives of Coptic priests whom Islamists have said were forcibly detained by the Coptic Church after they had willingly converted to Islam.

"If you turn your churches into a prison for Muslim women, we will make them graveyards for you," he said, threatening to kill hostages if the group's demand was not met.

"It won't stop just with killing the hostages but you will open on the sons of your religion a door you do not wish to be opened," he continued.

The tape also addresses the Vatican, which convened a two-week synod of Middle East Catholic bishops last month.

"We say to the Vatican, as you met days ago with the Christians of the Middle East, regardless of their sect, to support them, now pressure them to release our captive sisters, or killing will reach all of you and (Coptic Pope) Shenouda will bring destruction to all the Christians of the region."

Shehata disappeared for a few days in July, setting off Coptic protests. Police found her and escorted her home, triggering protests by Islamists who said the church was detaining her after she converted to Islam.

Wafa Constantine also went missing, in 2004, reportedly after her husband refused to give her a divorce. She was temporarily sequestered at a convent as reports of her conversion were circulated.

The two cases threatened the fragile sectarian balance of the country, where Copts make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 80-million population and have been the target of sectarian attack.

A Coptic community leader who is close to Pope Shenouda said Shehata did not convert to Islam, but the allegation was sensitive because she is married to a priest.

"This woman did not become a Muslim, and there are no coverts who have been detained. Copts convert to Islam all the time," said Hani Aziz.

"We are not paying much attention to this message. We don't even know the origin of the tape," he said.

A Catholic Church spokesman in Egypt said police had told clerics that security around churches would be tightened. But a senior police official said no reinforcements were planned because there was already enough security.

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