Dutch prime minister in an unexpected visit to Iraq

Dutch prime minister yesterday paid a sudden visit to Iraq in order to meet with the Dutch soldiers positioned in the south, in the framework of the international forces that rallied with the American occupation under British leadership.

The Dutch force which is composed of 1200 soldiers, is situated in al-Muthanna province, were notified by the prime minister of Holland that what they are doing is "very important" work, according to a Dutch spokesman.

The Dutch parliament in December 2003 approved the extension for the mission of this force for 6 months, to expire by the fall of July 2004. The visit of the Dutch prime minister to Iraq comes following similar visits for other leaders who arrived in Iraq without prior notice, in precaution of Iraqi resistance attacks.

The last unannounced visitors for Iraq in December were the British prime minister Tony Blair, and the Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, who visited Iraq in December, 2003 following President George W. Bush's visit in November.