Lithuania to Cut Troops in Iraq By Half

Lithuania to cut troops in Iraq by half

RIGA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) — Lithuania will withdraw half of its 100 troops from Iraq by January, reports from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius said Friday.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and Defense Minister Gediminas Kirkilas said in a joint statement that the Lithuanian government made the decision in view of the improving political and economic climate in Iraq and the strengthening Iraqi security forces.

In the wake of the Dec. 15 general election, the Iraqis are able to shoulder more responsibilities in controlling the situation in their country, said the statement.

As the Iraqi security forces are increasingly strengthened, the mission of foreign troops is shifting to training Iraqi soldiers, it said.

Lithuania, while preserving some of the troops necessary for fighting terrorists, will send officers to train the Iraqi forces, it said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Friday on a visit to Baghdad that the United States will withdraw some of its combat forces from Iraq early next year.