CAIRO (AFP) - An American, who was found hanged in his police cell in the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya on Sunday, is believed to have committed suicide, Egyptian security officials said.

They said the body of Mr James Henry, 55, who told the authorities he was a retired officer, was found at noon at Ismailiya Awal police station.

Mr Henry had been detained in August for violating a curfew imposed because of the latest wave of political unrest sweeping Egypt.

He was stopped on the road between El-Arish and Rafah in North Sinai and told the authorities he was on his way to the Gaza Strip.

Officials told AFP that a US Embassy delegation had visited Mr Henry in his cell last week.

His death comes a day after he was told the authorities were extending his preventative detention by a further 30 days.