Australian PM visits troops in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd paid a surprise visit to Baghdad Friday, and vowed again that his country's troops in Iraq will be withdrawn by mid-2008.

Rudd, who was elected in a landslide victory November 24, met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and promised continued Australian aid to Iraq despite the decision to withdraw 550 troops.

Rudd, 50, had said he would start a phased withdrawal of Australian forces from Iraq if the Labor Party won the vote.

Rudd said: "Early today in Tallil, I spoke directly to what is a fine body of men and women and thanked them on behalf of the Australian government for their work here. And it is good to know that the prime minister of Iraq shares that view.

"That battle group will come to a conclusion as of June, and it will be the last group we deploy," he said. "They have done excellent work and continue to do excellent work.

"Australia will continue to support our friends in Iraq through naval deployments in the Gulf and to assist in the long-term security of Iraqi exports. We will also, of course, continue to assist Iraq with the deployment of various air assets as well."

The Australian battle group is based at Tallil Air Base south of Baghdad.

Rudd and al-Maliki confirmed cooperation between the two countries will continue, including in the area of defense. Rudd said Australia will train Iraqi soldiers in Australia and Iraqi police either in Australia or Jordan.

Rudd said this is his second visit to Baghdad -- the first was the end of 2003.

Comparing his first visit to this one, he noted that 2007 was a year of success for Iraqi security forces, U.S. forces and others in reducing the violence and helping the Iraqis compile a $48 billion budget for 2008 -- the largest ever for that nation. E-mail to a friend

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