A Marine reservist has been found guilty of killing an Iraqi soldier while they stood watch together at a guard post in Fallujah. Lance Corporal Delano Holmes was convicted of negligent homicide, but acquitted of the greater charge of unpremeditated homicide at a hearing in Camp Pendleton in California.

He was also convicted of making a false official statement.

A panel of three officers and five enlisted Marines returned the verdict after two days of deliberation over whether the December 31 2006 killing of Private Munther Muhammed Hassin was an act of murder or self-defence.

Holmes, 22, made no remarks in court immediately after the verdict, a Marines spokeswoman said.

A sentencing hearing was set to begin immediately following the verdict.