One hostage from Iraq convoy said killed

BASRA, Iraq, Nov 17 (Reuters) A foreign security guard who was among a group of five kidnapped yesterday after their truck convoy was hijacked has been found dead, an official in the office of Basra's governor today said.

An Iraqi police official in Basra in southern Iraq said earlier two other hostages had been freed in an operation by Iraqi police.

The official in the governor's office said the one found dead was discovered in the same operation.

The nationality of the two freed and one dead hostage was not immediately clear. The five men seized on Thursday were four Americans and an Austrian.

The US embassy in Baghdad said it could not confirm any reports of a raid.

REUTERS SY PM2355