Poland discussed with the U.S. how the Polish contingent in Iraq will be reduced when the Iraqi government has control in the country

Poland discussed with the U.S. how the Polish contingent in Iraq will be reduced when the Iraqi government has control in the country, Poland's Prime Minister Marek Belka said after meeting U.S. President George W. Bush. The prime minister said his talks with Bush included how progress on Iraq's security and political process will determine ``the character and shape of our presence in this country.'' Poland has about 2,500 soldiers in Iraq, the largest contingent after the U.S., U.K. and Italy. South Korea is in the process of expanding its contingent to 3,000 soldiers. Poland commands a nine-country division of 6,200 soldiers stationed in southern Iraq. The Polish government has said it intends to begin withdrawing its contingent in January next year. The Polish military command yesterday turned over authority of the Najaf and Qadisiyah provinces in southern Iraq to the U.S. military because of increased fighting involving Shiite Muslim militiamen in Najaf, Reuters reported. The command will remain in control in Babil, Karbala and Wasit provinces, Reuters cited a statement by the coalition force as saying.