The deployment of 485 former Fijian soldiers recruited privately by a British company for duty in Iraq will be complete by next week.
Global Risk Securities' Fiji representative, Lt Col Sakiuasa Raivoce, says the first batch of 80 soldiers will leave on Sunday and the rest will fly out later in the week until the deployment is complete by Friday.
The men will be responsible for guarding oil fields and power plants, carry out escort duties and act as bodyguards, but they will not be manning checkpoints.
Lt Col Raivoce says the Fijian soldiers will have the same rules of engagement as troops serving under the United Nations, which means they will only open fire if fired upon.
Their weapons and uniforms will be provided by the British company which will also provide insurance cover for injury and death.
Lt Col Raivoce says another 900 former soldiers have applied for private duty in Iraq.
