Private security firms sign up to code

Major private military and security companies have signed a global code of conduct after high-profile scandals involving the industry in Afghanistan and Iraq. "The pledge brokered by Switzerland, which has taken 14 months to negotiate, emerged amid concern about the 'exponential growth' of private security contractors in conflict areas and their protection role," reports Agence France Presse. "About 60 companies, including US firms Triple Canopy, Xe Services - formerly Blackwater - and Britain's G4 Security were signing up, while the code had the backing of 35 countries, Swiss officials said."