Australia to send extra 450 troops to Iraq: PM

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (AFP) - Australia will send a new force of around 450 troops to Iraq to provide security to Japanese engineers helping rebuild the country's south, Prime Minister John Howard said Tuesday.
Howard said Iraq was at a "tilting point" following the elections earlier this year and urged the US-led coalition to support democracy in the insurgency-wracked country.
He said the taskforce would consist of a cavalry squadron, an infantry company and and a training team.
"The total numbers will be approximately 450," Howard told reporters.
He said Australia was sending the troops at the request of the British government after the Netherlands, which had previously been providing security for the Japanese, decided not to renew its commitment.
He said the troops would be deployed in about 10 weeks.

02/22/2005 01:50 GMT - AFP