CIA to quiz Australian fighter

Australian al Qaeda fighter David Hicks is facing interrogation by CIA agents after being flown to an American warship, according to defence chiefs.

The 26-year-old father of two was handed to US troops by Northern Alliance forces early today and immediately transferred by US Navy helicopter to the assault ship, USS Peleliu in the Arabian Sea.

Australia's foreign minister, Alexander Downer, confirmed today that the Australian government is seeking access to Hicks, once the CIA and military authorities have finished questioning him about his activities and potential links with Osama bin Laden.

Brigadier Ken Gillespie, commander of the Australian Special Forces, said Hicks had fought directly with Bin Laden's terrorist network. It was not known when or even if Hicks, a former chicken boner jokingly known by his own father as "Indiana Jones", would be sent back to Australia.