Soldier gets 25 years for killing Iraqi

A United States soldier has been sentenced to 25 years in jail for the murder of an Iraqi National Guard soldier near Tikrit in May, the US military said.

"Specialist Federico Merida pleaded guilty to murder and making false official statements during court martial proceedings."

He was also handed a dishonourable discharge and reduced in rank to private.

Meanwhile, American troops have arrested a senior commander of the Iraqi National Guard for alleged ties to insurgents. Lieutenant General Talib al-Lahibi was an infantry officer in Saddam Hussein's army.