Czech police 'will be out next year'

Czech military police are likely to be withdrawn from Iraq at the beginning of next year, the Czech Defence Minister Miroslav Kostelka said yesterday, putting further pressure on Britain and the US to find volunteers for a multinational force.

Czech military police are likely to be withdrawn from Iraq at the beginning of next year, the Czech Defence Minister Miroslav Kostelka said yesterday, putting further pressure on Britain and the US to find volunteers for a multinational force. Spanish troops have already been pulled out of the country by the new anti-war government, and other governments are taking a new look at their commitments in light of the security situation. The Czech Republic has 80 military police stationed near Basra.

Mr Kostelkatold the news agency CTK that the Czech Republic should focus on its missions in Afghanistan and the Balkans.