US frees Iranians held overnight - reports

BAGHDAD, Aug 29 (Reuters) US forces freed a group of Iranians today after holding them overnight in Baghdad, Iran's official IRNA news agency said, quoting Iran's ambassador to Iraq.

Iraq's state television also reported their release, but a US military spokesman said he was not immediately able to confirm either their detention or release.

''The Iranian delegation, at 7 o'clock this morning, was handed to the office of Iraq's prime minister by American forces,'' ambassador Hassan Kazemi-Qomi said, according to IRNA.

IRNA had reported that US forces detained the delegation, which was in Iraq to sign an electricity contract.

US forces have separately been holding five Iranians since January that they say were providing support to militants.

REUTERS SZ RK1145