Two French militants held in Pakistan

PARIS: A senior French security official said two French nationals were arrested in Pakistan, where authorities have linked to a top militant suspected al-during the 2002 nightclub bombings in Bali Qaeda.

A Pakistani intelligence official said that the French suspected militants, including one with family ties to Pakistan were arrested in the Jan. 25 arrest of al-Qaeda linked militant Umar Patek Indonesia.

The Pakistani official said the two suspects had wanted to travel with French Patek in Pakistan's North Waziristan region, where high command of Al Qaeda is based.

A French counterterrorism official confirmed the arrest Thursday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case. - AP