Romanian troops' mandate in Iraq expires on December 31 and an extension of their presence there will be established depending on the Iraqi government requests, Romanian Defense minister Teodor Melescanu has declared.

He added that he was not sure whether Romanian troops woul be present there next year because he cannot predict the future, NewsIn informs. Melescanu declared that troops in Iraq would have other missions than those they had until now.

The Iraqi government will demand a reduction of foreign military presence in their country and an essential change of scope for the missions. Namely, all foreign missions will be in charge of assisting Iraqi military and security forces, of supporting civilians in rebuilding their homes and secure the infrastructural development in the area.