Baghdad - A security source in the northern Salahaddin province said that 150 gunmen surrendered to the local authorities on Friday.

The security source told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa the surrender comes as part of a deal by the US forces and Iraqi security forces, which aims at reducing violence in the northern province.

"The deal is that US forces and local authorities will pardon the armed men," he told dpa.

"Except for those described by the Iraqi side as 'have Iraqi blood on their hands.' If evidence was found against them, they will be sent to trial," the source added.

The gunmen yielded in the presence of representatives of the US, Iraqi authority in the province and heads of the local clans.

The security source said more gunmen will be surrendering to the authorities. (dpa)