No disrespect meant over Iraq arrest -US envoy

BAGHDAD, Feb 23 (Reuters) The US ambassador to Iraq said today he was unaware why the son of powerful Shi'ite politician Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim had been detained by American troops, but added no disrespect was intended.

US soldiers detained Ammar Hakim at a border checkpoint with Iran today for several hours, before he was freed.

''We don't know the circumstances of his arrest, we are investigating. We do not mean any disrespect to Abdul-Aziz al- Hakim or his family. But he (Ammar) is being released,'' U.S.

ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters in Baghdad.

REUTERS SAM HT0000