Special report: Tension accelerates in Iraq    

    CANBERRA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Australia will send an extra 38 soldiers and four infantry mobility vehicles to Tallil region, southern Iraq, Defense Minister Brendan Nelson announced on Monday.

    There are now 480 Australian troops in Tallil, 30 of whom are helping train the Iraqi Army.

    "The extra contingent will enhance logistics and intelligence support as well as providing increased protected mobility to the Australian troops based in Tallil," Nelson said in a statement.

    Nelson, who returned from a visit to Australian troops in Afghanistan and Iraq last week, said the decision which was made after a review of the composition and size of the force.

    He ruled out a withdrawal from Iraq in the near future, saying "the worst thing Australian and Coalition forces could do now is to pull out of Iraq."

    Australia joined the U.S.-led multi-nation forces to invade Iraq in 2003 and still keeps around 1,400 soldiers in the region. Enditem

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