Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
ROME, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Italy will reduce its troop force in Iraq
by 10 percent in January as part of its phased withdrawal from the country,
Defence Minister Antonio Martino said on Thursday.
Martino told reporters Italy would cut its military contingent to
2,600 soldiers by the end of January from 2,900.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said last month that all
the troops would be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2006 in coordination
with the Iraqi government.
Italy, which has the fourth-largest foreign contingent in Iraq,
faces a general election next April where the unpopular Iraq war might
become an issue. Most Italians and all opposition parties were opposed to
the troop deployment.
The Italian government started withdrawing its forces in September,
pulling an initial 300 soldiers from Iraq.
by 10 percent in January as part of its phased withdrawal from the country,
Defence Minister Antonio Martino said on Thursday.
Martino told reporters Italy would cut its military contingent to
2,600 soldiers by the end of January from 2,900.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said last month that all
the troops would be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2006 in coordination
with the Iraqi government.
Italy, which has the fourth-largest foreign contingent in Iraq,
faces a general election next April where the unpopular Iraq war might
become an issue. Most Italians and all opposition parties were opposed to
the troop deployment.
The Italian government started withdrawing its forces in September,
pulling an initial 300 soldiers from Iraq.
