US soldier ordered back to duty in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (AFP) - A federal judge rejected a request from a US soldier not to be returned to Iraq while his complaint against the Pentagon is under review, one of his attorneys said Thursday.
Judge Royce Lamberth threw out the request by for a temporary injunction lodged by lawyers for David Qualls, 35, who is on leave in Arkansas, saying that his being ordered to remain on duty was legal, attorney James Klimaski said.
Qualls was due to leave Friday for Iraq, he said.
He and seven other unnamed US military staff filed suit Monday against the Defense Department which they accused oif forcing them to stay in Iraq when their agreed term of service had concluded.
They are contesting the government's 'stop-loss' policy which blocks soldiers from leaving the army when their unit is deployed on the ground to bolster cohesiveness and efficiency.
Qualls' contract ended July 6, 2004, but his service was extended against his will.
"We are continuing to follow the case," Klimaski added.

12/09/2004 18:25 GMT - AFP