WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Thursday welcomed Georgia's decision to deploy additional troops in Iraq toprovide security for the United Nations presence in the country.

    "It underscores Georgia's commitment to partnership with the people of Iraq and their friends around the world in pursuit of peace, prosperity and democracy in Iraq," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said a news briefing.

    This latest deployment by Georgia will increase the total number of its troops in Iraq from 159 to 850, according to Boucher.

    The US will offer additional training to help Georgia sustain this deployment following an assessment by the US European Commandof their needs, he added. Enditem