The Scotsman
By Tony Johnes

If Spain's Prime Minister elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero fulfils his election promise and withdraws his country's troops from Iraq a large multi-national force will still remain in the country.

The United States has the biggest contingent in Iraq with 110,000 soldiers, marines and airmen.

More than 25 other countries have contributed a further 22,000 troops to the country.

Britain has committed the next biggest military force with 8,700 people, followed by Poland with 2,500.

Iraq has been divided into various regions with the American forces controlling key areas such as Baghdad and the north.

The Multi-National Division (South East) is headed by British forces who have several national contingents under their command, including Italy (2,800 troops), Netherlands (1,700), Romania (750), Denmark (480), Norway (160), Portugal (130), New Zealand (100), Czech Republic (100), Japan (34) and Lithuania (30).
Zapatero promised today to bring Spain's 1,300 troops home from Iraq by June 30.

A Spanish socialist party spokesman said their leader would stick by his campaign condition and allow military personnel to remain in Iraq if the United Nations assumed control of the peacekeeping operation.

Multi-National Division (Central South) is headed by Polish forces who have numerous national contingents under their leadership.

These include Ukraine (1,600), Spain (1,300), Thailand (900), Bulgaria (480), Slovenia (360) and Honduras (360).

Other countries, which come under the control of Poland include Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Slovakia, Philippines, Kazakhstan and Rumania.

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