Adam Pieczynski, director of the private Polish television station TVN 24, told AFP that Marcin Firlej and a colleague from Polish public radio, Jacek Kaczmarek, had been arrested in the area of al-Hillah, by "five, perhaps six armed Iraqis," and led off to an unknown destination.

Polish television said the armed Iraqis had included "two armed people in uniform and three civilians."

Polish public radio confirmed the information to AFP. The arrest had been publicised thanks to two other TVN 24 journalists who had fled the scene and informed US troops.

Eight journalists have died since the beginning of the US-led war in Iraq began on March 20, while two others have disappeared.

SPACE.WIRE