The Iraqi militants behind the kidnapping of IT consultant Peter Moore, have released a video showing what appears to be a missing American contractor.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous, which recently freed Moore after killing his bodygaurds, now claim to be holding a US hostage.

They have posted an internet clip of a man beleived to be Issa T Salomi, 60, who was reported missing in Baghdad on January 23.

The man in the footage does not identify himself but says he is being held hostage by the Shia militant group.

He then lists their demands, including the prosecution of Blackwater security contractors accused of killing 17 Iraqis in 2007.

The man said: "The second demand is to bring the proper justice and the proper punishment to those members of Blackwater company that have committed unjustifiable crimes against innocent Iraqi civilians.

"And to bring justice by proper compensation to the families that have been involved in great suffering because of this incident."

The US Department of Defense cofirmed Salomi was the focus of ongoing search and recovery efforts, but would not comment on the video.

The Associated Press has quoted a high-ranking Iraqi defence official who claims the contractor, from El Cajon, California, was kidnapped by the militants who lured him to the central Baghdad district of Karradah.

The man in the video is wearing what looks like a US military uniform and is seated in a chair infront of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq's black banner.

On their website the group claim the man is an American officer.

In May 2007 Asaib Ahl al-Haq kidnapped Moore, from Lincoln, along with his four bodyguards

They released the 39-year-old in December, after 31 months in captivity.

Three of the bodyguards, Alec Maclachlan from Llanelli in Wales, Jason Swindlehurst and Jason Creswellwere were killed, while the fourth, Alan McMenemy from Dumbarton in Scotland, is also feared dead.

British foreign secretary, David Milliband claimed no concessions were made in securing Moore's release.

However there were reports he mave been exchanged for Shia cleric, Qais al-Ghazali, who was being held by the US military.

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