(Updates with New York Times reporter arrested)

HARARE, April 3 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean police on Thursday arrested two foreign correspondents, including a New York Times correspondent who was covering the country's election.

"I can confirm that we have arrested two reporters at York Lodge for practising without accreditation," said police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena, who added the police would identify them on Friday.

Witnesses said that armed riot police and what appeared to be state intelligence agents entered the hotel where the two reporters were staying.

The New York Times said its reporter Barry Bearak had been arrested.

"Barry Bearak, a Times correspondent based in Johannesburg, was taken into custody today by police in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he was covering the elections. We do not know where he is being held, or what, if any, charges have been made against him," the newspaper's executive editor, Bill Keller, said in a statement.

"We are making every effort to ascertain his status, to assure that he is safe and being well treated, and to secure his prompt release."

In Washington, State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said the U.S. Embassy in Harare was tracking reports that the Zimbabwean authorities had arrested an American reporter and possibly other U.S. citizens in Harare on Thursday.

"A (U.S.) consular official has confirmed the arrest of at least one American and has been able to speak with that citizen. We are continuing to push for more information and for access to other Americans who may be detained," said Gallegos.

An employee at the lodge told Reuters by telephone: "There are just ordinary policemen, some in plain clothes. Some of them are armed."

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a press freedom watchdog, voiced concern over the arrests.

"We are alarmed by reports that foreign journalists have been detained in Harare," CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in a statement.

"In light of the political situation, it is imperative that all journalists, foreign and domestic, be allowed to work freely. We call on authorities to immediately release all journalists currently being held." (Reporting by Nelson Banya, Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Charles Dick)

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