Suspect says US reporter Daniel Pearl is dead

The key suspect in the abduction of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl has told a court the journalist is dead.

Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh appeared in the Karachi court where he faced formal kidnapping charges.

During his appearance, he confessed to Daniel Pearl's kidnapping.

He gave no details on where or when the 38-year-old journalist was allegedly killed.

"As far as I know he's dead," 27-year-old Saeed said in a courthouse in Karachi, where Mr Pearl disappeared on January 23 while investigating a story on Islamic militants.

Saeed surrendered to authorities on Tuesday in Lahore.

For weeks police had been searching for the British-born Islamic militant who has a history of kidnapping Westerners.

Saeed, who was brought to the courtroom in an armored personnel carrier under heavy security, said he carried out the kidnapping under "my own free will."

"Right or wrong I had my reasons," he told the judge in a quiet voice.

"I think that our country shouldn't be catering to America's needs," he said.