Japanese troops may stay in southern Iraq until a degree of political stability is restored in the country, Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Sunday, denying media reports they might pull out by May.
Officials have repeatedly said they will carefully consider security conditions, as well as plans of British and Australian troops stationed there, before deciding when to withdraw the 600 troops from the southern city of Samawah.
Aso echoed the caution Sunday on a TV Asahi talk show, denying media reports of an imminent withdrawal.
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