Italy to withdraw 300 troops from Iraq
Italy will withdraw 300 soldiers from Iraq in a “partial pullout” in September, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said at the weekend.
But he insisted the removal of troops would in no way weaken the resolve of Italy to fight terrorism and build democracy in Iraq, saying Rome was still committed to aiding the reconstruction effort.
The pullout would neither lead to a drop in security nor weaken the policing of the local population, he added. Italy has 3,000 troops in Iraq.
“The situation has not changed. The mission in Iraq will carry on, according to the terms fixed by the United Nations. Commitments must be respected,” Mr Berlusconi said.
He added: “We have to fulfill our commitments and cannot leave the job half done.”
