HILLA, Feb 6: At least ten people were reported dead on Sunday as Iraqi security forces clashed with rebels, officials said. Four people were killed and nine wounded when security forces clashed with villagers south of Baghdad, medics said.

An employee of the Baghdad provincial government was shot dead in the street by gunmen. Later, another man was killed in Baghdad, an official said.

To the north, three Iraqis were killed in shootings and a bomb blast, while the body of businessman was discovered, secuirty sources said.

KIDNAPPING: Meanwhile foreigners in Iraq were again put on their guard by the kidnapping of four Egyptian telecoms engineers in front of their Baghdad house.

Two groups have claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of Italian reporter Giuliana Sgrena.

One previously unknown group, the Organization for Jihad in the Countries of Mesopotamia, said the 56-year-old correspondent would be killed unless Italy announces by Monday night that it would withdraw its 3,000 troops in Iraq.