Georgian Parliament Approves Troop Increase In Iraq

Georgian soldiers training for service in Iraq (file photo) (epa)

July 8, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Georgia's parliament has overwhelmingly approved President Mikheil Saakashvili's proposal to more than double the country's military contingent in Iraq to 2,000 soldiers, RFE/RL's Georgian Service reported.

After today's vote, parliamentary speaker Nino Burdjanadze praised the United States, which has trained Georgia's forces, saying Tbilisi "will never forget the support" it has received from Washington.

Georgia currently has 850 troops in Iraq. The contingent will gradually be expanded starting in July.