Prague, Czech Republic, October 01 , SPA --The Czech governmentapproved a Defense Ministry plan to withdraw 15 of its 20troops from Iraq and increase the number of troops inAfghanistan by 230 next year, an official said Wednesday, AP reported. Czech officials consulted with the country's allies aboutthe withdrawal from Iraq, Deputy Defense Minister MartinBartak said. He said the remaining servicemen will trainIraqi officers. Earlier this year, the Czech Republic withdrew 80 of its100 troops from Iraq. The number of Czech troops serving in the NATO-ledInternational Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan willreach 645 next year, Bartak said. Up to 415 Czech servicemen can serve in the peacekeepingforce in Afghanistan this year. A separate unit of 100 elite troops should continue toserve next year in Afghanistan, Bartak said. The Czech Republic will also continue to participate inthe NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo with up to 550soldiers in the mission known as KFOR, he said. A total of 1,386 Czech servicemen will be deployed inforeign missions in 2009, Bartak said. Parliament still needs to approve the deployment. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/594670