WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - A U.S. architectural firm posted drawings of the new U.S. embassy being built in Baghdad on its Web site but removed them when U.S. officials complained they might endanger Americans, a U.S. official said on Friday.

The drawings included preliminary depictions of the grounds and some buildings in the vast complex, including residences for the U.S. ambassador, his deputy and Marine guards at what will be one of the largest and most expensive U.S. embassies in the world, the official said.

It was not clear when Kansas City, Missouri-based Berger Devine Yaeger Inc. placed the drawings on its Web site but the official said he believed they were removed on Thursday.

An employee at the firm declined to comment on the matter and referred calls to the State Department.

"We work really hard to protect our officials and employees overseas. It's best not to have that kind of information out in the public domain," said the U.S. official, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The official called the drawings preliminary and said they did not show exactly what was being built at the new compound, which is in the "Green Zone" in Baghdad that houses the existing U.S. embassy and top Iraqi officials.

"These were preliminary sketches from some years ago," said another U.S. official.

While the heavily fortified "Green Zone" is largely spared from violence that plagues other parts of Baghdad, it is routinely subject to mortar attacks.

The Bush administration initially sought $1.3 billion for the new embassy but Congress has approved $592 million and lawmakers have questioned the cost and size of the complex. (Additional reporting by Richard Cowan)

AlertNet news is provided by