U.S. citizen kidnapped in Benin

WASHINGTON, May 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. State Department official said an American citizen has been kidnapped in the West African nation of Benin.

Authorities did not say when the kidnapping occurred, give details or identify the person abducted, CNN reported.

The unidentified official said American diplomatic officials are providing "consular assistance."

"Due to privacy considerations, we cannot provide additional information," the official said.

Benin, a former French colony with about 9 million people, has a small coastline on the Gulf of Guinea.

The U.S. State Department Web site said the United States and Benin "have had an excellent history of relations since Benin embraced democracy" in 1990.