An Iraqi insurgent group said today in an internet posting that it killed a kidnapped US security consultant. The claim’s authenticity could not be immediately verified.

A Syrian man believed to have been the driver captured along with two French journalists by militants in August has been found in Fallujah, US marine officials said this morning.

Militants in Iraq have murdered kidnapped Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, who disappeared last week, Pan-Arab television station Al-Jazeera reported.

Militants in Iraq today said they had taken a top Iranian diplomat hostage, according to video shown on the Arab-language Al-Arabiya television station.

Militants holding two Pakistani contractors hostage in Iraq said today they had killed the men, according to the Pan-Arab television station Al-Jazeera.