The delay comes amid objections from Syria, US military officers on the ground and the US State Department, which fears it will harm relations with Damascus, the report said.

US Central Command was prepared to release the Syrians Tuesday, but civilians at the Pentagon wanted them questioned more extensively to absolve them of any role in assisting the Iraqi convoy, the Times said, citing administration officials.

The US raid was launched early June 18 because of intelligence suggesting that the convoy was carrying senior members of Iraq's deposed Baathist regime.

The five Syrians will be returned to their country as soon as it can be worked out with Damascus, a Pentagon spokesman said Friday.

Larry Di Rita, the acting chief Pentagon spokesman, would not say how the Syrians were injured or whether US troops crossed into Syrian territory during the attack on the convoy in western Iraq.

He said the five were taken into US custody to be treated for various types of injuries. Three were taken to Baghdad and the other two were treated by a US military unit in the area, he told reporters.

"All five are now together, have been treated, are ambulatory and are awaiting their return," he said.

Di Rita said an unidentified Iraqi was killed in the raid.

"They've only been able to confirm one individual was killed, but that doesn't mean that only one individual was killed," he said.

He would provide no other information on the raid.

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