Posted on 02/09/2006 11:14:17 AM PST by lizol
Polish troops hand over security tasks in Iraq to Iraqis
WARSAW, Feb. 8 (Xinhuanet)-- Polish Defense Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Wednesday Polish army has transferred the responsibility for its zone's tasks to the Iraqis.
Poland currently leads a 2,500-strong international troop contingent in Iraq. More than half the soldiers are Polish, but their number is to be reduced by 900 as of this month. It is not sure how long will they stay in Iraq.
The soldiers were supposed to be pulled out by the end of this year, but Poland claimed it could maintain its troop's presence in Iraq until 2007 if its mission would change from a military one to training the Iraqi army.
The defense minister recalled that this year Poland will receive its first F-16 fighter planes and in 2006 it will receive the first Hercules C-130 transport planes.
He also announced the liquidation of unnecessary commanding and administrative structures and the introduction of a commanding system compatible with NATO requirements.
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