American soldier 'had bomb materials'

A United States Army soldier has been arrested after police found him in a motel room near the Fort Hood military post in Texas with possible bomb-making materials.

The soldier was identified as Naser Jason Abdo, 21. He disappeared from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, over the 4 July weekend and was arrested on Wednesday after reports that he had firearms and smokeless gunpowder in his motel room.

FBI Special Agent Eric Vasys said yesterday the soldier, who was absent without leave from Fort Campbell, was being held in custody in the city of Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood. Mr Vasys did not elaborate on the apparent threat, or what charges the soldier might face.