A US company has been awarded a £3 million contract to manage the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr.

Even before Allied forces take control of the town, The US Agency for International Development - America's aid agency - gave Stevedoring Services of America the contract, the second awarded under plans for reconstruction in Iraq.

USAID said: "SSA will be responsible for the ports effective operation, allowing food and other humanitarian and reconstruction materials to be deliverered smoothly and efficiently."

As reported in Metro (tuesday march 25th)