A British soldier has been killed in Iraq after coming under small arms fire, the Ministry of Defence said.
The soldier from the 7th Armoured Brigade, serving with the 1st Battalion The Highlanders, was killed on patrol in Maysan province, southern Iraq.
His name has not yet been released. No other UK personnel were injured.
The death brings the number of British service personnel to have died in Iraq to 99, with about 230 troops injured by enemy action.
"It is with very deep regret that we can confirm that one UK soldier from the 7th Armoured Brigade serving with the first Battalion, the Highlanders, subsequently died of his injuries," the MoD said.
The soldier was part of a multi-national patrol in Maysan. His family has been informed of the death.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time," the ministry said.
The 1st Battalion The Highlanders was deployed to Iraq in October 2005 and is due to stay until May.
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