Kazakhstan military contingent not to leave Iraq

Kazakhstan is not going to draw out its military contingent from Iraq. "Kazakhstani military men will continue to help the Iraqi people recover from the severe consequences of war, thus saving the lives of Iraqi citizens." The press service of the Kazakhstani government made a corresponding statement today. According to the statement, Kazakhstan is worried about recent events in Iraq. The Kazakhstani government applied the command of the international coalition with a request to ensure the security of Kazakhstani military men in Iraq. "Further stay of the Kazakhstani military contingent will depend on this issue." Kazakhstan "initially supported efforts of the international coalition to restore security and stability in Iraq," the statement says. According to the press service of the Kazakhstani Defense Ministry, Kazakhstani combat engineers have disposed of more that half a million explosive devices.