BAGHDAD (AP) — An Arab satellite TV network broadcast a videotape Sunday showing a blindfolded man in military uniform it said was a U.S. Marine taken hostage in Iraq.
>>>>>>Please click here for video<<<<<< A Marine has been missing from his unit in Iraq for nearly a week but it is unclear whether he has been taken hostage, the U.S. command said Monday.
The videotape showed a card with the man's name and marine identification. The ID named the hostage as
"Wassef Ali Hassoun." The
U.S. military told ABC News a marine of Lebanese descent went missing June 21, but could not confirm he had been taken hostage.
"Contrary to press reports, however, Naval Criminal Investigative Services cannot confirm that has been taken hostage," the statement said.
The video showed a card identifying the man by a Pakistani name and as an "active duty" Marine. The man had a trimmed moustache and his eyes were covered with a white blindfold.
The Al-Jazeera network said the group claimed it infiltrated a Marine outpost, lured the man outside and abducted him. The station said the group demanded the release of all Iraqis "in occupation jails" or the man would be killed.
