26 Aug 2005

Fiji likely to withdraw troops from Iraq

7:19 am on 26 August 2005

A report from Suva says there are strong indications that the Fiji government has decided to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

Fiji TV reports that foreign affairs and diplomatic staff are still in the process of communicating the decision to the United Nations and the United States.

It says the chief executive of the ministry of home affairs, Lesi Korovavala, would only confirm that a decision has been made.

He said it would be announced after all parties have been informed.

More than 1-hundred and 30 Fiji troops have been deployed in Iraq since last year to guard United Nations staff and installations after the world body decided to re-establish its presence there to help promote peace.

Another contingent of Fiji troops were trained and ready for further deployment to Iraq after a request from the UN earlier this year.