LISBON, Jan. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Portugal confirmed on Saturday that it will withdraw its police mission in Iraq as scheduled on Feb. 12.

    "For reasons of operational planning and for an adequa te coordination with Iraqi authorities and the multinational task force, the Portuguese government confirms its decision to end its police mission in Iraq on the previously scheduled date of Feb. 12," said a joint statement issued by the Prime Minister's office and the Foreign Office.

    The statement said Portugal would continue to fully support its allies in Iraq but in different ways, such as providing humanitarian relief.

    Reports said the Portuguese government had proposed to help the new Iraq government train security forces after the Jan. 30 general elections.

    The 120-strong Portuguese contingent, which is under Italian command in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, was first deployed in November 2003. Its one-year mission was extended to Feb. 12 in view of Iraq's general elections. Enditem