Sofia, June 6, SPA -- Bulgaria has replaced its troops inIraq, and has started planning for their withdrawal by theend of the year, the country's chief-of-staff said Monday. Gen. Nikola Kolev said, however, that this would not bethe end of Bulgaria's military involvement in Iraq. "The fifth battalion already has taken over its tasks,and has started operative planning for the pulloutscheduled for the period between October and December,"Kolev told reporters at a military ceremony to welcome backthe soldiers of the previous contingent in their base inthe central Bulgarian town of Karlovo. The replacement force serving in the central-southernIraqi city of Diwaniya numbers 400, while before therotation there were 460 soldiers. "We are ready to send a sixth battalion, if such apolitical decision is made," Kolev added. In Bulgaria,decisions to send troops abroad are made by parliament. In May, Bulgaria's parliament voted to cut the number oftroops in Iraq to 400 and to continue their mission throughthe end of 2005.--SPA1412 Local Time 1112 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/267793