German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has reiterated that his country will not send soldiers to Iraq.

Schroeder made the remarks at a political rally in Husum, Schleswig-Holstein, Thursday evening and reported by German press Friday.

In his speech, Schroeder also said that Germany would not retreat from its opposition to the US-led Iraqi war.

Following the parliamentary elections in Iraq, Berlin will helpthe Iraqi democratic process by increasing its efforts to train Iraqi military personnel and security forces in the United Arab Emirates, he said.

Germany opposes using military means to solve the Iranian nuclear issue, although Berlin, like Washington, does not want to see the possession of nuclear weapons by Iran, Schroeder added.

Schroeder will meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Berlin on Friday, with their talks expected to focus on Middle East issues as well as on German-US relations. Enditem