Group claims to kidnap American in West Bank

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Oct 11 (Reuters) Palestinian security officials said today they were investigating reports that a previously unknown militant group in the occupied West Bank had kidnapped an American student.

The group, calling itself Ansar Assuna, said the student had been seized in the West Bank city of Nablus. The group faxed to Reuters a copy of the student's passport, Israeli visa and student identification card.

Palestinian security officials and the US Consulate in Jerusalem said they were checking into the report.

The reported kidnapping follows the abduction of two journalists working for the American Fox New Channel in the Gaza Strip in August. They were held by militants for two weeks before being freed.

Reuters PDM VV1810