Security contractors eye post-mandate Iraq

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Operations for foreign security contractors in Iraq will be eyed by top industry executives as the U.N. mandate for international forces expires at midnight.

The U.N. mandate for multinational operations expires officially Wednesday. The Iraqi government has struck separate deals with the United States and other foreign military forces to continue on into 2009, but the fate of the private security sector is uncertain.

Foreign contractors provide security details for commercial and private interests in Iraq, often working in support of reconstruction efforts as well. Patrick Grayson with the London intelligence firm GPW told the Financial Times the situation in Iraq in the wake of the U.N. mandate will be quite different for security contractors.

"They will probably be the only foreign arms-carrying people in the country and be subject to Iraq law," he said.

Security executives see the picture differently. While admitting the post-mandate environment will be different, these executives see little effect on their business.

"Everyone is terribly worried about what might happen on Jan. 1, but we have been operating in Iraqi-controlled territories for some time, and it is not a great concern to me," said Tim Spicer, founder of London's Aegis Defense Services.