Coalition partners pull out from Iraq

The US coalition in Iraq saw its size dwindle today as Ukraine and Bulgaria said all of their troops had left the country while Poland said it would remain, but reduce its number of troops by 600 next year.

The Polish government’s decision, which must be approved by President Lech Kaczynski, would be a boost for US President George W Bush, who has faced withering criticism at home and abroad ovr his handling of the Iraq war and the growing insurgency there.