BRUSSELS, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The news business remained a dangerous profession last year with 171 journalists killed while pursuing their work, nearing the record 177 deaths of 2006, the International Federation of Journalists said in a statement.

Iraq accounted for nearly a third of the deaths, with 65 journalists and media staff killed, the Brussels-based organisation said.

Somalia and Pakistan were also high on the list of danger spots for journalists, the group said, with 8 killed in Somalia and 7 in Pakistan. Six died in Mexico, where coverage of drug trafficking has been very dangerous, it said.

"Violence against journalists remains at extremely high levels for the third year in a row," IFJ President Jim Boumelha said.

"As usual, those most at risk are media staff operating in their home country," said Boumelha.

The reporters' group count of 171 deaths covers 134 murders and violent deaths and 37 deaths in accidents while on assignment or on the way to or from covering a story. (Reporting by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Jan Strupczewski and Richard Balmforth)

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