Islamic State British hostage a friend of Prince William and Prince Harry

A BRITISH hostage shown in a propaganda video released by terrorists Islamic State is a former travel companion of Prince William and Harry.

New video has emerged of a man believed to be British journalist John Cantlie. Picture: Supplied

A British hostage shown in a propaganda video released by terrorists Islamic State is a former travel companion of Prince William and Harry.

The video has not been independently verified but the man is believed to be photojournalist John Cantlie.

The UK Telegraph reported Mr Cantile joined the Princes on a charity bike ride in 2008 as the official photographer.

He is said to have got to know the Princes well during the 1,000 mile bike race across South Africa.

The release of the video comes as the United States congress gives the green light to President Barack Obama’s pledge to train and arm modern Syrian rebels in their war against IS.

A majority of democrats and republicans in both houses voted to support a budget amendment that would allow the US and Arab countries to boost Syria’s resources “so they can help push back these terrorists” on the ground.

“The American forces that have been deployed to Iraq do not, and will not, have a combat mission,” President Obama said at a press conference this morning.

“Their mission is to advise and assist our partners on the ground. We can join with allies and partners to destroy ISIl without American troops fighting another ground war.”

President Barack Obama says there will not be another ground war for US troops. Picture: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

He said the continuing air strikes were “taking out terrorists ... destroying their vehicles, equipment and stockpiles” and the mission was being carried out with courage.

“We do not give in to fear. When you threaten us, it does not divide us. It unites us,” President Obama said.

The latest IS video released is similar to previous videos made by American journalists, including James Foley and Stephen Sotloff. Cantlie wears a similar orange jumpsuit to Foley and Sotloff and is seen in a dark room reading from a prepared statement.

US journalist James Foley was murdered by IS militants. Picture: YouTube

He claims he is making the comments freely and that he has recorded several programs to show how the West has abandoned its people.

“Hello. My name is John Cantlie. I am a British journalist who used to work for some of the bigger newspapers and magazines in the UK including the Sunday Times, The Sun and the Sunday Telegraph,” he said in the video.

“In November 2012, I came to Syria where I was subsequently captured by the Islamic State,” he added.

It comes as more than 100 Muslim leaders signed a spetition calling for IS to release British aid worker Alan Henning, who appeared in a video of fellow hostage David Haines’s murder.

Dozens of British Imams attacked IS for being “un-Islamic” and called the militant group “monsters.”

Journalist Steven Sotloff before he was beheaded. Picture: AP

US President Barack Obama has made clear that US troops will have no combat mission in Iraq, as the country’s new Prime Minister said foreign ground troops are neither necessary nor wanted.

The US President also pointed to the support of Australia and other allies in his bid to gain the support of Americans for a military campaign against Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.

“The American forces that have been deployed to Iraq do not and will not have a combat mission,” Mr Obama told American troops at the headquarters of US Central Command in Florida.

Mr Obama has repeatedly stressed that, despite ordering air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq, he will not send US troops back to fight another land war in the region