No Belgian troops in Iraq

25 May 2004

BRUSSELS – Belgian Defence Minister Andre Flahaut has categorically ruled out sending Belgian troops to Iraq while the United Nations does not control military operations in the country, it was reported on Tuesday.

Flahaut said no Belgian forces would be heading to the Middle Eastern country “while the UN has not taken over complete control of the situation.”

He added that in any case the Belgian army was already stretched to the limit with peacekeeping duties in other parts of the world.

Last week Belgium announced it would double its military presence in Afghanistan from 250 to 550 troops.

Belgium is in the country as part of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF).

Belgian troops are also currently serving in Kosovo, Bosnia and Macedonia.

Subject: Belgian news