American investigators have appealed for help from New York State's Muslim community, to find out more about five suspected al-Qaeda members.

We have the key players in western New York. But if somebody has other information, we'd love to hear about it.

," Peter Ahearn FBI special agent

The five - all US citizens of Yemeni origin - were picked up in raids on Friday near the city of Buffalo.

They have been charged with providing "material support" to the al-Qaeda network.

The move comes as another Yemeni - who is allegedly to be a senior al-Qaeda figure - is being interrogated in Pakistan.

The man, Ramzi Binalshibh - who was arrested in Karachi on Wednesday - is now being questioned by US investigators.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says his capture is a huge blow for al-Qaeda, as he holds the key to many of the untold secrets behind the attacks.

He is also suspected of helping to plot the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen two years ago.

'Holy war'

In New York State, the authorities say the five men arrested at Lackawanna, near Buffalo, were members of a local al-Qaeda cell.

Officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said there was no evidence that the men were planning an imminent attack.

But a spokesman said co-operation already provided by New York's Muslim community suggested they had travelled to Afghanistan for training.

The spokesman said he hoped the publication of the men's photographs would lead more people to come forward with information.

"We have the key players in western New York," FBI Special Agent Peter Ahearn said. "But if somebody has other information, we'd love to hear about it."

If convicted, the five could each be sentenced to up to 15 years in jail.

Relatives of the five men denied they were involved with al-Qaeda.

This is the second such group to be arrested in the United States.

Two weeks ago, another five men were charged in Detroit with acting as a combat cell for Islamic groups waging a holy war against the US.

Rival requests

In Pakistan, US officials are currently leading the interrogation of Ramzi Binalshibh.

Mr Binalshibh - who is suspected of being a senior member of the former al-Qaeda cell in Hamburg - is wanted by Germany for his alleged role in planning the 11 September attacks.

But the FBI has also made it clear that the United States also wants him.

A Pakistani official says his government has received extradition requests from both Berlin and Washington.

The BBC's Frank Gardner says investigators will want to know the details of al-Qaeda's current and future plots.

But, our correspondent adds, he will be no pushover. Those close to al-Qaeda say he may have received training in how to resist interrogation.