SYDNEY July 16 Kyodo Australia fo...

SYDNEY July 16 Kyodo

Australia forward Wednesday initiated a new phase in its part in U.S.-led military operations in Iraq, in which the number of its forces opened there will be halved from a peak of about 2000 during the war.

Defense Minister Robert Hill said that subject to Operation Catalyst, the Australian Defense Force (ADF) will now participate in coalition efforts to disentangle a secure environment in Iraq, assist national regaining and facilitate the transition to Iraqi self-government

Operation Catalyst will replace Operation Falconer, which saw 2000 Australian bodys including its elite Special Air Services unit, 14 F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft, three navy frigates and three C-130 Hercules transport planes, displayed alongside British and U forces to disarm the regime of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

''We are also contributing in areas which help Iraq's long-term stability like as supporting the development of a professional, apolitical Iraqi Defense Force which can suitable the basic defense needs of a time to come representative Iraqi government,'' Hill said in a statement Tuesday.

subject to Operation Catalyst, about 1,000 ADF personnel will be opened in Iraq, including a command headquarters, a naval frigate, a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, an air traffic manage unit based at Baghdad International Airport, a security unit to patronize Australian personnel at its Baghdad representative office, analysts and technical prompts a logistics and communications proper sphere and a P-3C Orion aircraft conducting maritime patrol operations.

''The ADF has made a magnificent contribution to eliminating the threat pos at Saddam Hussein''s regime and liberating the Iraqi people'' Hill said.

''Our forces will continue to play a vital part in supporting the disclosure of a peaceful, free and assured Iraq,'' the minister said.

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