Dutch Extending Iraq Troop Commitment

The Dutch cabinet approved an eight-month extension of the Netherlands' troop commitments in Iraq. The Dutch Cabinet has said the decision was based upon the statement by Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi that the coalition forces were critical Iraq's success as an emerging democracy.

The Netherlands provide 1400 soldiers to the multi-national force and have suffered one combet death since being deployed to Iraq in July of last year.