KIEV, November 10 (RIA Novosti, Taras Burnos) - Ukraine will withdraw most of its military contingent from Iraq, leaving about 50 troops, the country's defense minister said Thursday.
"In view of a proposal from the Iraqi government and coalition leaders, a presidential draft resolution is being prepared. If it is passed, in 2006 there will be a limited number of military personnel in Iraq," Anatoliy Hrytsenko said following his visit to Iraq.
The remaining Ukrainian troops will stay in the country for six months. Ukraine currently has about 1,000 soldiers posted in Iraq. The authorities previously announced that the troops would be withdrawn before the end of 2005.
Hrytsenko also proposed turning over surplus armaments from Ukraine's reserves in the country to the Iraqi military, as a form of aid.
The minister said he would put a proposal on the issue before the Ukrainian government.
"Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Estonia have been giving Iraq tanks, submachine guns and cars," Hrytsenko said.
