Australian troops to remain in Iraq
24/12/2008 17:28
Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said today Australia intended
to maintain a non- combat military presence in Iraq following authorization from
Iraq for foreign troops to stay for the first half of 2009.
While welcoming
an Iraqi parliament resolution allowing Australian troops to remain in the
country until the end of July next year, Fitzgibbon said "the Australian
government welcomes the passage of this resolution which reflects in the
improved security situation in Iraq and the clear decision of Iraq to increase
responsibility for its own security."
"The resolution will now be considered
by the government of Iraq and it is intended that our two governments will
conclude a formal agreement ... to the ADF's (Australian Defence Force's)
continued role," the minister was quoted as saying in Sydney by Australian
Associated Press.
The United States, which supplies 95 percent of foreign
troops in Iraq, has already signed a Status of Forces Agreement with Baghdad,
under which its combat forces can remain in the country until the end of
2011.
As part of Australia's presence in Iraq, Fitzgibbon said, a security
detachment would remain in Baghdad to provide continued protection for
Australia's diplomatic mission.
This Christmas, Australia will have some
3,500 military personnel deployed at 11 locations around the world, Fitzgibbon
said.
Xinhua
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