Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    SOFIA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria was prepared to extend its mission in Iraq after March 2007, its current deployment's expiry date, if it received a fresh invitation from the United States, Bulgaria's Defence Minister Veselin Bliznakov indicated on Monday.

    "We cannot settle unilaterally the question of our further involvement there though we are prepared (to remain in Iraq)," Bliznakov told a news conference upon his return from a visit to Iraq at the weekend.

    A new U.S. invitation was required for the Bulgarian troops to stay in Iraq, said the minister.

    "We may receive such an invitation early next year," Bliznakov added.

    He said a careful analysis of the Bulgarian potential would be made on receiving an invitation. He did not rule out the possibility of moving the Bulgarian servicemen to another place.

    Bulgaria had withdrawn around 450 soldiers from Iraq by Dec. 30, 2005 after a mission of 29 months. Under a decree of parliament in March, Bulgaria maintains a contingent of 153 non-combat troops to guard the Ashraf refugee camp near Baghdad.

    Up to 19 Bulgarians, civilians included, have died in the war in Iraq over the past three years.