Poland ends Iraq mission

DIWANIYAH, Iraq (AFP) - Poland formally ended its Iraq mission in the Shia province of Diwaniyah on Saturday leaving US troops to take their place, as local military leaders warned that insurgents could re-emerge.

Poland’s final contingent of 900 troops would return home by end of the month and the withdrawal process was already underway, a military official told journalists at the ceremony in this central Iraqi town.

Warsaw’s Defence Minister Bogdan Klich attended the ceremony and parade, where troops from Armenia, Mongolia, Romania, Ukraine, Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the US also participated.

“We feel responsible for the future of Iraq. The completion of our mission does not mean end of our engagement,” Klich said. “We hope to cooperate in Iraq’s economic and financial areas.”

Iraq’s top military commander, General Babaker Zebari, thanked Polish troops for helping restore stability in the region, but warned that security gains should not be taken for granted.