Sniper suspect was a member of Nation of Islam-report

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan says suspected sniper John Allen Muhammad is a member of the religious group.

But Farrakhan says Muhammed will be thrown out of the group if he is convicted of the series of shootings that left 10 people dead and three wounded.

The Nation of Islam leader says he "grieves for the senseless loss of life" caused by the sniper shootings.

Farrakhan said: "He has not formally been kicked out of the Nation of Islam, but certainly if he's found guilty of something like this he would not be considered at all a member."

Farrakhan says Muhammad joined the group in 1997 but that he had not been in contact since 1999, when he was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife, also a member.

The Nation of Islam leader's comments came in a news conference in response to speculation that Muhammad provided security at the "Million Man March" in Washington.

Farrahkan, who organised the march, said Muhammad, 41, did not provide security. "He might well have been there," Farrakhan said.

"Those who knew him never said ugly things about his conduct or his behaviour," Farrakhan said.