Polish PM rallies troops in Iraq

Poland has suffered its first loss since sending troops to Iraq

Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller, on an official visit to Iraq, has paid tribute to the first Polish soldier killed in action.

He told Polish troops their mission was essential for the reconstruction of Iraq, despite being costly, painful and "not yet understood" by many people.

The visit comes a few days after Poland lost its first serviceman there.

Major Hieronim Kupczyk, shot last week in an ambush, was the first Polish combat casualty since World War II.

Our reasons for being here are moral and not only political, so we will continue our mission here in Iraq Leszek Miller Polish Prime Minister

"You are here to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people, loyal to the traditions of Poland and to your freedom," Mr Miller told hundreds of troops in a partially reconstructed palace near the ancient city of Babylon.

"We are here to help build Iraq a better future, and we will remain only until new Iraqi authorities are able to take responsibility for their country and the security of its citizens," he added, speaking on Poland's Independence Day.

Mr Miller insisted that the death of Major Kupczyk would not affect Poland's Iraq operation.

"Last week's events will definitely not change our policy in this matter because our reasons for being here are moral and not only political, so we will continue our mission here in Iraq," he said.

Public debate

Poland is playing a crucial role in Iraq, where it has been leading a force of about 9,500 international troops in the central part of the country since September.

But the military commitment has met with widespread opposition at home, and the death of Major Kupczyk has fuelled the debate.

Mr Miller, who is currently on a four-day tour of the Middle East, was scheduled to meet Iraq's US administrator Paul Bremer and Iraqi leaders later on Tuesday.