BEIJING, Nov. 25 -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari urged Japan on Friday to continue its deployment of 600 ground troops in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah to help rebuild the war-torn country.

    The troops' current mandate expires on December 14, a day ahead of Iraq's parliamentary election.

    Hoshya Zebari asked Japanese Defense Chief Fukushiro Nukaga to keep the troops on beyond Dec. 14.  

    Nukaga said Japan is "proud" of the work its forces have done but gave no commitment on an extension.

    Last month, Japan approved a one-year extension of its naval mission to support U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan.

    Zebari, who arrived Wednesday, was scheduled to meet Koizumi later Friday. Enditem

(Agencies)