US militant arrested in Malaysia

An American militant accused of conspiring to help the al-Qaida terror network has been arrested in Malaysia.

Ahmed Ibrahim Bilal faces deportation to the US within days, said Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.

"I have been informed that he has been arrested for no longer having valid travel documents," Abdullah said.

Bilal is thought to have been in Malaysia since January, but he dropped out of sight last week when four alleged accomplices were arrested in Oregon and Michigan.

They all face charges including conspiracy to wage war against the United States and conspiracy to provide material support and resources to al-Qaida.

Bilal had been studying at the International Islamic University near the capital Kuala Lumpur.

One lecturer described him as a "very religious student with a deep knowledge of the Koran. We are all shocked and still cannot believe the US authorities are seeking to have him arrested."