Polish Prime Minister-designate Marek Belka has appealed to parliament to end the country's political uncertainty and back him in a vote of confidence

He called on members of the lower house, the Sejm, to give him a year to introduce reforms aimed at fighting poverty and improving healthcare. Mr Belka also asked for time to deal with Poland's involvement in Iraq, where it has 2,400 soldiers stationed. He said he expected to be able to reduce troop numbers next year. On Thursday, President Aleksander Kwasniewski urged parliament to support the new government, saying it would be a better solution to Poland's political crisis than early elections. But parliament, fragmented after defections from the ruling coalition, is expected to reject Mr Belka. He was appointed after Leszek Miller resigned as prime minister over economic woes and corruption claims.