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Denmark to pull troops from Iraq Denmark to pull troops from Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
Denmark will withdraw its troops from Iraq by August, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said.Denmark will withdraw its troops from Iraq by August, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said.
The troops, numbering about 460, will be replaced by a unit of nine soldiers manning four observational helicopters, he said.The troops, numbering about 460, will be replaced by a unit of nine soldiers manning four observational helicopters, he said.
It comes as Tony Blair announced a timetable for reducing British troop numbers in Iraq from 7,100 to 5,500.It comes as Tony Blair announced a timetable for reducing British troop numbers in Iraq from 7,100 to 5,500.
Most Danish troops are based in the southern city of Basra, where they operate under British command.Most Danish troops are based in the southern city of Basra, where they operate under British command.
COALITION FORCES US -132,000UK - 7,100South Korea - 3,200Poland - 900Georgia - 800-850Australia - 900Romania - 600-865Denmark - 460El Salvador - 380Bulgaria - 150 Sources: Brookings Institution; Globalsecurity.org; media reports The mandate for Danish troops to serve in Iraq is due to expire in June. The mandate for Danish troops to serve in Iraq is due to expire in June.
Mr Rasmussen said the decision to pull out was taken after consultation with the Iraqi government and the British . Mr Rasmussen said the decision to pull out was taken after consultation with the Iraqi government and the British.
"We expect that the Iraqis during 2007 will take over security in southern Iraq," she said. COALITION FORCES US -132,000UK - 7,100South Korea - 3,200Poland - 900Georgia - 800-850Australia - 900Romania - 600-865Denmark - 460El Salvador - 380Bulgaria - 150 Sources: Brookings Institution; Globalsecurity.org; media reports "We expect that the Iraqis during 2007 will take over security in southern Iraq," she said.
Five Danish soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the conflict began in 2003.Five Danish soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the conflict began in 2003.
Countries with forces serving in Iraq have been under growing domestic pressure to pull out.Countries with forces serving in Iraq have been under growing domestic pressure to pull out.
Mr Rasmussen also said Denmark was considering increasing its troop deployment in Afghanistan from 400 to 600.
He gave no timeframe but said: "We are favourable to sending more troops to Afghanistan... because it is essential that Nato wins its battle against the Taleban."
Most Danish troops in Afghanistan are under UK command in southern Helmand province.