American kidnapped by 'police' in Basra

Iraq's security crisis dramatically escalated today as an American was kidnapped in Basra.

The US businessman, who is of Jordanian origin, was seized from a hotel in the south of the city last night.

Basra's chief of police, Colonel Khalaf al-Maleki, said the kidnappers wore Iraqi police uniforms - raising the possibility they were genuine policemen or that the uniforms are freely available to militants. It is the first kidnapping in British-controlled territory since the wave of hostage taking in the last 10 days.

Meanwhile, westerners in Baghdad have been warned that guerrillas are planning a two-week campaign of murderous violence in the capital. Sunni militants have circulated anonymous letters telling Iraqis to shut businesses and stay indoors.