LONDON, Jan. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- The British government announced Monday that about 400 extra British troops would be sent to Iraq before the country holds its elections on Jan. 30.

    "On the recommendation of the General Officer Commanding, we will soon be deploying the Extremely High Readiness Reserve battalion for Operation Telic, which is 1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers, from Cyprus to Multi-National Division (South-East) for a limited period of time in support of election security in Iraq. 400 extra troops will be deployed to Iraq," British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said in statement to the House of Commons, the lower house of the parliament.

    "Our principle role in Iraq is helping to provide the security conditions for reconstruction and political development. We are focused on developing the capability and capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces," Hoon said. "115,000 Iraqi security personnel are now trained, equipped, and operating across Iraq."

    Britain's Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported that the government sent extra British troops to Iraq with the aim of bolstering security for the coming elections in Iraq. Enditem