Japanese hostage are killed in Iraq

Islamic militant group Army of &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/accidents/2005/05/06/59611.html ' target=_blank>Ansar al-Sunna said it has killed a Japanese hostage and posted footage allegedly showing his bloodied body, according to an Internet video.

The video showed identification papers and a passport bearing the name of Akihiko Saito, 44, a former paratrooper and veteran of the &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/usa/2001/12/24/24335.html ' target=_blank>French Foreign Legion, who had been missing in Iraq since May 8.

The footage, which was not dated but was seen by Reuters on Saturday, showed the body of a dead man lying on his back with blood covering his face. He appeared to resemble Saito`s pictures, tells Reuters.