Bulgaria To Reduce Troops In Iraq

3 November 2004 -- Bulgaria's Defense Ministry says it will cut its small military presence in Iraq by over 10 percent next month due to a reduction in its expected military duties.
The NATO newcomer's 483-strong light infantry battalion operates under a Polish-led multinational division. It is in the process of relocating from the flash-point city of Karbala to the south-central town of Diwaniyah.

Bulgaria's troop count will fall to 430 after its current soldiers are rotated out and replaced with reserves next month.

Bulgaria has lost seven of its soldiers during its military presence in Iraq.

(Reuters)