Polish force heads for Iraq

Polish troops will form the core of the force

The main contingent of Polish troops has begun its deployment to Iraq as Poland prepares to take up command of a security zone in the south of the country, at the beginning of September.

Around 2,000 Polish troops are expected to arrive in Iraq and form the core of a 9,000-strong force, drawn from 22 countries.

Around 250 Polish command staff are already in Iraq.

The main part of the force will acclimatize in Kuwait before moving across the border.

The United States chose Poland to lead the sector in the south-central part of Iraq in recognition of its support during the recent war.

"Poland is ideal for this task because the Polish Army officers are experienced in missions of peacekeeping character," said a US Marines' statement in Baghdad.

More than 100 Latvian soldiers also left Poland for Iraq on Tuesday.

Multi-national force

The Polish force will include 1,644 Ukrainians, 1,321 Spanish soldiers, 1,130 Italians and 886 Thais, the statement said.

Other nations are playing a smaller part, including Bulgaria, Hungary, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Romania, Mongolia, Latvia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, the Philippines and Nicaragua.

The force's support staff will include officers from the United States, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands.