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TIRANA, Albania - (AP) The Albanian army began its sixth troop rotation in Iraq Sunday with a 120-troop army contingent that is to replace soldiers who have served there since April, the Defense Ministry said. The army unit is to serve a six-month mission in Iraq under U.S.-led command serve in a non-combat role, mainly patrolling the airport in the Iraqi city of Mosul. Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu, army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Pellumb Qazimi and U.S. Ambassador Marcie Ries were present at the ceremony at an army base before the troops departed for Iraq. Albania, a predominantly Muslim...

The announcement several days ago Albania -- a small country with limited resources -- was sending an additional 50 well-trained troops to Iraq came as a surprise to some observers. But it really should not have surprised anyone. Albania was one of only four countries to send combat troops during the operation "Iraqi Freedom." Albania is probably the most pro-American country on Earth. It showed its support of the United States early, when it initially sent 70 commandos to join the Coalition of the Willing's effort to bring peace, stability and free elections to Iraq.

IRANA (Reuters) - Albania will increase the number of its soldiers in Iraq to 120 from the current 70, a government spokesman said on Friday. The decision takes effect in April, when soldiers currently serving a six-month stint under U.S. command return home. Albania has been a staunch supporter of the United States since Washington led a NATO bombing campaign against Serb troops accused of killing and expelling ethnic Albanian civilians in Kosovo. Albanian public opinion supports its contribution to the U.S.-led force in Iraq, where two Albanian-born U.S. Marines have been killed. (File photo) Two Albanians in traditional...

Albania, Poland pledge to keep troops in Iraq TIRANA, Dec. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Albania and Poland reconfirmed on Tuesday that their troops will stay in Iraq to help maintain stability in the country. "We shall continue our contribution to assisting the country ina normal development of elections next year," said Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano when he met with his visiting Polish counterpart, Marek Belka. Both prime ministers hoped that the situation in Iraq would calm down for the elections scheduled for Jan. 30. "What we are doing in Iraq is not only for the sake of the Iraqi people...

Powell thanks Tirana for aid on Iraq The United States struck another blow against the new International Criminal Court on Friday by signing an agreement with Albania to exempt each other's citizens from prosecution. Secretary of State Colin Powell signed the agreement with the Albanian prime minister, Fatos Nano, in Tirana, where he also thanked Albanian leaders for supporting the war in Iraq. It sent 70 soldiers to Iraq. Albania was the 32d country, most of them small states, to agree to the U.S. demand for exemption of its soldiers and civilians from the court's jurisdiction. Israel and India have...