CIA hires controversial Blackwater for providing security services in Afghanistan

Washington, June 24 (ANI): The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has reportedly hired the controversial private security firm, Xe Services, formerly known as Blackwater, for providing security services in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

According to sources, the Blackwater has been awarded a contract of more than 100 million dollars for providing security services.

Under the contract, the U.S. Training Center will provide "protective security services" at the new U.S. consulates in Herat and Nazar-e-Sharaf in Afghanistan.

"It's for protective services guard services, in multiple regions," The Washington Post quoted sources, as saying.

Two other security contractors, Triple Canopy and DynCorp International, put in losing bids for the CIA's business, they added.

Meanwhile, the CIA has neither confirmed nor rebutted reports regarding hiring the services of Blackwater.

CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said Xe personnel would not be involved in the operations.

"While this agency does not, as a rule, comment on contractual relationships we may or may not have, we follow all applicable federal laws and regulations," Gimigliano said.

"We have a very careful process when it comes to procurement, and we take it seriously. We've also made it clear that personnel from Xe do not serve with the CIA in any operational roles," he added. (ANI)