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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australian troops will still have a role in Iraq after foreign forces hand over security to Iraqi forces in the country's south, Prime Minister John Howard said Sunday, indicating his country's troops would not be brought home soon.
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Salam Zikam Ali al-Zubaie said Friday that Iraq has an agreement to take over security responsibilities from Japanese, Australian and British troops in southern Iraq this month.
About 460 Australian troops are providing security for the Japanese contingent of 600 in Iraq's southern Muthanna province. In total, Australia has about 1,320 troops in Iraq and the Middle East.
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