A British security worker was killed in an ambush carried out by insurgents in Iraq.
He died alongside an Iraqi colleague as they travelled in a convoy near a power station complex they were protecting.
The attack took place south of the city of Beiji in central Iraq, according to American military officials. A third man, a foreign national, is still missing.
Major Neal O'Brien, a spokesman for the Tikrit-based 1st Infantry Division, said the rebels disabled their vehicle and killed two of the contractors.
Dr David Claridge, managing director of London-based Janusian Security Risk Management, said: "We deeply regret the loss of our colleagues in Iraq and our thoughts are with all their families at this time.
"We are proud of their professionalism and dedication and of the role they played in trying to help in the reconstruction of that country."
AP