Poland put an end to its mission to support the U.S. troops in Iraq, announcing the withdrawal by the end of October of last 900 soldiers, during an official ceremony in the center of the country.

The ceremony took place at a military base in Diwaniyah, 180 kilometers south of Baghdad, which is called the Polish contingent, with the attendance of the Minister of National Defense, Bogdan Klich, and the commander of American forces in Iraq, General Raymond Odierno.

During the ceremony, the flag of the coalition was arriada and delivered to the Minister Klich, thus symbolizing the end of the mission of Poland.

The Polish army is in Iraq since 2003 when they began armed intervention led by the United States against the regime of Saddam Hussein.

The quota of Poland had 2600 soldiers, was however reduced to 900. Since the conflict began 21 Polish soldiers have been killed and other 70 injured, according to data released this Saturday by the military authorities of Poland.

“We are responsible for the future of Iraq. The conclusion of our mission does not mean however the end of our commitment,” said Bogdan Klich, ensuring that his country will continue to “cooperate with Iraq in the economic and financial fields.”

For its part, General Odierno pointed out that this is a “good time” to the forces of Poland to leave Iraq.

“This is a good moment for the Polish forces leave because the security conditions improved. They will be replaced by U.S. troops, but in smaller numbers,” he explained to journalists.

A total of five years, over 10,500 soldiers from Poland participated in the U.S. operation in Iraq, according to data from the U.S. command.

The coalition led by the United States and participating countries account for a fortnight now 150 thousand men, of which 144 are American.