PORT-AU-PRINCE — A Haitian official has been killed by his kidnappers and a US citizen's whereabouts are unknown after being kidnapped in Port-au-Prince, Haitian police sources said Saturday.

"Gilbert Giordanni was kidnapped Friday and his body was found next to his car Saturday along a street in the capital," said police spokesman Frantz Lerebours. He added there had been no ransom request.

He also announced that a US national of Haitian descent, who works in an American school, was kidnapped. Lerebours added that Haiti's anti-kidnapping police unit is searching for three others who have been kidnapped recently, including a six-year-old girl.

"Regarding the kidnapping of the American, we have opened an investigation and research is ongoing, but at the time we have no leads," said Francois-Henry Dossous, the head of the anti-kidnapping unit.

The US Embassy in Haiti published a note on Twitter advising Americans to "remain alert... Pay close attention to surroundings."

Haiti's National Police force has launched massive vehicle search operations in the past few days in several parts of the capital.

Copyright © 2011 AFP.