An American member of al-Qaeda was picked up in a raid in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi, Pakistani officials said Monday, but reversed earlier assertions that the detained man was the terror network's U.S.-born spokesman.

They identified the suspect as Abu Yahya Majadin Adam, but gave no details on his background or role within al-Qaeda.

A name very close to that is listed on the FBI's Web site as an alias for Adam Gadahn, the 31-year-old spokesman who has appeared in several videos threatening the West since 2001. The resemblance created confusion among officials Sunday, leading them to believe that the suspect was Mr. Gadahn, an army officer and a senior intelligence officer said.

“The resemblance of the name initially caused confusion but now they have concluded he is not Gadahn,” said an intelligence officer, who like all Pakistani intelligence agents does not allow his name to be used. “He feels proud to be a member of al-Qaeda.”

U.S. Embassy spokesman Rick Snelsire said the embassy had not been informed of any American being arrested.