DUBAI, Jan 20: A militant group said on Thursday it had abducted and killed a Briton and a Swede in the central Iraqi city of Beiji.

In an Internet statement, the Army of Ansar al Sunna said: "The lions of the faith of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) were able to ambush and kidnap two agents - a Briton and a Swede - working for the intelligence agency of the infidel forces in Beiji and God's law was enforced by killing them."

The statement did not say when the ambush took place. A British foreign office spokesman said he had no details on the claim. The Swedish foreign ministry said it was not aware of any Swede dead or missing in Iraq and was checking the claim.

A Briton and an Iraqi were killed on Wednesday in an ambush while travelling in a convoy near Beiji. Their employers confirmed a third foreign national was missing.

The US military said on Thursday that a Brazilian was missing following the attack in Beiji, but could not confirm reports the Brazilian was kidnapped. The Army of Ansar al Sunna said it would issue details about its attack soon. -Reuters