US state department fires security and personal services contractors

Directive says new contracts must be terminated immediately in response to Trump executive order

The Department of State told staff on Thursday it would not extend contracts for civilian personal services contractors beginning on Saturday, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Personal services contractors provide duties such as housekeeping and maintenance at overseas embassies. But they also supplement diplomatic security. Three of the four people killed in a 2012 raid on the Libyan diplomatic mission in Benghazi - Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty - were civilian security contractors.