Iraqis go to the polls on Sunday for the first election since the removal of Saddam Hussein, marking a major step in the country's political transition.

Under a United Nations resolution adopted on June 8, 2004, the US-led multinational force including 180,000 troops from 28 countries will stay in Iraq until Iraq's political process is completed.

Following are the major contingents deployed in Iraq:

The United States: Over 150,000 soldiers are deployed in Iraq to control northern and central Iraq. Its headquarters is in Baghdad. Over 1,400 US soldiers have been killed, and more than 10,000 wounded as of Jan. 26.

Britain: Some 9,000 British troops are deployed in Iraq to control the south of Iraq. Its headquarters is in Basra. So far 75British soldiers have been killed.

South Korea: South Korea deploys 3,600 troops in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil to help reconstruction there. South Korea's parliament approved in February a government plan to send those troops, whose mandate expires at the end of 2005.

Italy: The Italian government decided on Jan. 14 to extend the presence of its 3,000- strong troops in Iraq till the end of June.Its headquarters is in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. A November 2003 attack destroyed the headquarters, leaving 19 Italians dead.

Poland: A staunch supporter of the United States on the Iraq war, Poland has some 2,400 troops in the central Diwaniyah region.Sixteen Polish soldiers have died in Iraq. Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka said on Jan. 5 his country will cut its troops in Iraqfrom 2,400 to 1,700 in several months.

Ukraine: Ukraine now has a 1,600-strong contingent serving under Polish command in southern Iraq. So far 17 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in Iraq. The Ukrainian government has decided to pull its troops out of Iraq before June. 30.

The Netherlands: The country has deployed 1,350 soldiers in Iraq's southern province of Muthanna. Most of them will be withdrawn in March.

Australia: About 900 Australian soldiers were deployed in Iraq with the duty of protecting Australian diplomats and providing reconstruction aid.

Romania: Romania first sent troops to Iraq in July 2003 and currently has more than 700 troops in the southern city of Nasiriyah. Upon the request of the United States, Bucharest decided to deploy 100 more troops last November to guard foreign embassies and representatives of UN groups during the Jan. 30 elections.

Japan: Japan has 550 troops in Iraq, mostly in the southern city of Samawah, to provide humanitarian and reconstruction aid. The troops will conclude its mission in December.

Denmark: The country has more than 500 troops in Basra under British command.

Bulgaria: Bulgaria has around 500 soldiers serving in the Shiite holy city of Karbala as part of a Polish-led multinational division. Seven soldiers were killed and more than 30 others wounded in insurgent attacks.

Portugal: Portugal sent about 120 officers of the National Republican Guard to Iraq in November 2003 on a one-year mission. The troops are stationed in Nasiriyah. Portugal has confirmed the withdrawal of this troops on Feb. 12, after the scheduled Iraqi elections.

Mongolia: The first batch of 173 Mongolian peacekeeping troops were sent to Iraq in September, 2003. Another two teams with 130 troops each were sent to the country in February and July, 2004.