ISLAMABAD - Pakistani security officials say they have arrested a French man accused of being a prominent al-Qaida militant.

The officials today identified him as Naamen Meziche.

Western media reports have described Meziche as an al-Qaida operative with links to European jihadi groups believed to have been living until now in either Pakistan or Iran.

The statement said he was arrested on the border of Pakistan and Iran but no mention was made of when the arrest took place.

The officials did not give their names in keeping with the policy of the Pakistani security forces.