The CIA has signed a $100 million (€80m) contract with the private security firm formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide, to guard its facilities in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Former executives at US security contractor Blackwater Worldwide have admitted sending about $1m (€665,000) to Iraq to pay off officials angry about the fatal shootings of 17 civilians by its employees, according to a report.

US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has ordered government agents to ride with the Blackwater escorts of diplomatic convoys in Baghdad after a shooting in which private guards were accused of killing 13 Iraqi civilians.