Poland's government has decided to keep troops in Iraq until the end of next year, reversing the previous cabinet's decision to pull out early in 2006.
Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz made the announcement at a news conference this afternoon.
However, by March, Poland will have reduced troop numbers in Iraq to around 900 from the current level of around 1,450.
Some 131.5 million zlotys (€34 million) have been allocated in the 2006 budget to maintain the Polish military presence in Iraq.
Poland has the third-largest contingent in the US-led coalition in Iraq, but has trimmed troop numbers from 2,400 since January.
A poll published in August showed that 59% of Poles want Polish troops withdrawn from the conflict.
