WASHINGTON, Sept 20: President George W. Bush said on Thursday he was saddened by the loss of life when private security contractors opened fire in Baghdad and said he was awaiting results of a probe into the deaths.

“Let’s find out what the facts are first,” Bush said in a White House news conference when asked about the killings which happened on Sunday when shooting broke out in a Baghdad neighbourhood where Blackwater security contractors were working.

“Obviously to the extent innocent life was lost, I’m saddened. Our objective is to protect innocent life,” he said. “I want to find out the facts about exactly what took place there.” Blackwater contractors opened fire in a Baghdad neighbourhood, killing 10 people and wounding 13. Iraqis say that civilians were killed, while Blackwater insists the convoy came under attack from insurgents.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki demanded that Blackwater be replaced for the security duties. The firm provides guards for US officials and civilian employees in the war-torn country.

The United States has promised to investigate the deaths and along with Iraq announced on Wednesday it had also set up a joint commission to gather the facts about the incident and make policy recommendations on security in Iraq.

The deaths came amid keen debate in Washington over the future of US strategy there, with critics demanding that US troops be withdrawn.—AFP