Washington: Authorities have recovered the remains of two US contractors who were kidnapped in Iraq more than a year ago, the FBI has said.

The men were among six Western contractors kidnapped in separate incidents. Their disappearance received new attention earlier this month when the severed fingers of several men were sent to the US military in Iraq.

The FBI identified the contractors yesterday as Ronald Withrow and John Roy Young.

Withrow worked for JPI Worldwide when he was kidnapped in January 2007. Young worked for Crescent Security Group when he was kidnapped in November 2006.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it had notified the families of the two men.

Withrow's mother, Barbara Alexander, said an FBI agent delivered news of her son's death Sunday night.

"You just can't really be prepared for any news like that, especially when you had hope that your son is alive," Alexander said by phone from her home. "I know he's safe from all harm now. We're bringing him home. That was what our main concern was. And that they're not going to hurt him anymore."

Alexander read from what she said was the final entry in a notebook in which she addressed her son directly.

"I know God has taken you home. I'm just someone that's taken care of you," Alexander said. "It's hard to believe that you're gone. But you re in a more peaceful place than here. I'll see you when I can. Wait for me at the gates of heaven."

Source : PTI