Iraq has executed several prisoners of war (POWs), claimed a top United States military official who described the incident as o­ne of the many "disgusting" war crimes committed by President Saddam Hussein's loyal troops.

"They have executed prisoners of war," vice-chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace told in an interview o­n CNN 's 'Larry King Live'.

However, the general did not elaborate.

According to CNN, Pentagon sources said they were investigating a report that Iraqi soldiers shot dead seven US soldiers as they were surrendering with their hands up o­n Sunday.

Iraqi television showed video of five US soldiers in custody after their capture Sunday and the bodies of at least five other soldiers who had bullet wounds to their foreheads.

Iraq has also taken two US Apache helicopter pilots captive and shown video of them.

To the families of the prisoners of war, Pace said the US military is doing "everything we can to locate and free their sons and their daughters."

"I don't know what to say to them that could help ease their pain. I can't imagine what they're going through.

"We all hope and pray that this war can end quickly so that we can repatriate POWs," he said.

Woman hanged

Meanwhile, the marine general also alleged that an Iraqi woman was hanged by Saddam's troops for waving at the coalition forces.

Pace said he was astonished by the war crimes carried out by the Iraqi regime, which included the using of civilians as human shields, storing weapons in schools, setting up command posts in hospitals and pretending to surrender.

"I've never seen anything like this," he said. "To do it so blatantly so early, not o­nly is it a surprise, but to me it's disgusting."

Earlier, the International Committee of the Red Cross said its teams in Baghdad and Kuwait are negotiating over access to Iraqi and US POWs. But to date, their teams have not had contact with the prisoners.

Pace said coalition forces have captured more than 4,000 Iraqi soldiers.

The seven known US prisoners of war are:

US Army Spec. Joseph Hudson, 24, of the 507th Maintenance Company. He and four others were taken prisoner Sunday after their convoy was ambushed by Iraqi forces in southern Iraq.

US Army Pfc Patrick Miller, 23, of the 507th Maintenance Company.

US Army Spec Shoshana Johnson, 30, of the 507th Maintenance Company.

US Army Spec. Edgar Hernandez, 21, of the 507th Maintenance Company.

US Sgt. James Riley, 31, of the 507th Maintenance Company.

US Army Chief Warrant Officer David S Williams, 30, of Florida.

US Army Chief Warrant Officer Ronald D Young, 26, of Georgia.