Islamic website shows 'beheading of CIA agent'

An Islamic website screened a video that appeared to show militants in Iraq beheading a man identified as a CIA agent.

The authenticity of the videotape could not be verified immediately.

The internet site, regarded as a clearing house for tapes and statements by Islamic extremist groups, displayed footage of eight militants surrounding a seated man who wore a sign around his neck bearing his photograph and the letters CIA along with the word “visitor”.

Yesterday’s footage, which lasted about four minutes, showed several scenes, including a masked militant holding a large knife to the captive’s throat while they were apparently inside a room of a building.

In another scene men were heard talking in Arabic around the captive until one broke into the conversation saying: “Open your eyes” repeatedly.

Later the man was shown seated on a chair surrounded by eight masked militants in what appeared to be the courtyard of a house.

In a subsequent shot, taken seconds later, a masked man was shown standing alongside the captive holding a large sabre-like sword before chopping repeatedly at his neck and severing the head.

The militant later held the head aloft as the voices of other men were heard yelling several times: “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great).

A US official said CIA staff had accounted for all employees and no-one was missing. They were working to determine if the tape was genuine.

At least three Americans are known to be missing in Iraq – soldier Keith Maupin and civilian contract workers William Bradley and Timothy Bell.

The men have not been seen since an April 9 attack on a fuel convoy, although Arab television reported on June 29 that Maupin had been killed. The US military has said it could not confirm the death.