Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    MEXICO CITY, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- El Salvador will pull out its troops from Iraq after the United Nations (UN) mandate authorizing the deployment of the troops as part of U.S.-led coalition force ended Wednesday, said the Salvadorian officials.

    Officials in San Salvador said some 200 Salvadorian soldiers in Iraq expect the United States Air Force to provide planes to send them and their equipment home by the end of January or early February of 2009.

    El Salvador is the only Latin American country that joined the U.S.-led coalition force in Iraq in 2003. Salvadorian troops are stationed at the Iraqi city of Al Kut to carry out humanitarian missions.

    Salvadorian President Elias Antonio Saca said on Dec. 23 the country would end its military mission in Iraq.