Poland to end Iraq mission in 2008: defence minister

[Barrett808]

Source: AFP

WARSAW (AFP) - Poland will end next year its mission in Iraq, where it currently deploys 900 soldiers, new Polish Defence Minister Bogdan Klich said Saturday.

"I can confirm that in 2008 the Polish military contingent in Iraq will be withdrawn," the minister, who took up his post in the new liberal government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday, told public radio Jedynma.

He said the details of the withdrawal would be announced next Friday when Tusk outlines his government's policies in parliament.

Warsaw has been one of the closest US allies over Iraq. Polish troops took part in the 2003 invasion, sparking a bitter verbal battle with anti-war European Union members, notably France.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071117/wl_afp/polandiraqmilitary