Spain defends participation in Iraq force as more troops set off

MADRID, Aug 5 (AFP) - Spanish Defence Minister Federico Trillo-Figueroa on Tuesday defended the government's decision to take part in the US-led intervention force in Iraq, as a second contingent of troops prepared to leave for the Gulf.

Trillo-Figueroa stressed the "peaceful" nature of the mission, and insisted that ordinary Iraqis were "all very favourable" to the presence of the 471 Spanish troops already deployed to the country.

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Hundreds more were due to leave on Wednesday as part of a total of 1,300 Spanish troops being deployed over the next two weeks to areas of Iraq under Polish command.

Their objective, the minister said, was "to maintain peace in Iraq using a minimum of force".

He pointed out to reporters that UN Resolution 1483, adopted in May, calls on member states to help maintain stability and security in the country.

Trillo-Figueroa and Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar have both described the military operation low-risk -- but opposition Socialists and the overwhelming majority of the Spanish public have opposed Spain's involvement from the outset.

Besides providing military personnel for the US-led Iraq force, Spain is due to host an international aid conference for the country in the autumn.

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