US forces hold suspected US insurgent in Iraq

The US military in Iraq has detained a US citizen who is thought to be a top aide to wanted Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

The man, who has dual US and Jordanian citizenship, was seized following a raid on a Baghdad home late last year. He is believed to be the first US citizen caught in connection with Iraq's two-year-old insurgency.

"He is being held at an internment facility in Iraq," said Lieut. Colonel Guy Rudisill, spokesman for detainee affairs. "He's being held along with other detainees."

Lieut. Col. Rudisill said he had no details on the man's age or where he was from in the United States. He said he was born in Jordan and received US citizenship later, but it was not known when. He has been interrogated by US forces.

"We do know from interrogation that he has strong ties to the al-Zarqawi network," Lieut. Col. Rudisill said. Zarqawi's al Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in Iraq denied in an internet statement that his aide had been captured.

"They (US military) are trying to concoct lies because that is the best they can do. The crusaders have announced they have captured an American aide to our Sheikh Abu Musab. This is what they were able to fabricate this time," said the statement which could not be immediately authenticated.

Legal action against the detainee will be taken in coordination with the Iraqi government, he added, leaving open the possibility that he could be handed over to the US Justice Department.

Lieut. Col. Rudisill said the fact an American had been held in connection with the insurgency was only emerging now because no one had asked about it previously.

Zarqawi is the most wanted man in the country. His group has claimed responsibility for many of the worst suicide attacks in Iraq, as well as the capture and beheading of several foreigners.