WARSAW, Dec 23: Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said on Tuesday that the US-led forces occupying Iraq could begin a gradual withdrawal from 2005.

“The year 2004 will be one of major activity that will require actions to bring stabilisation, including from Polish troops,” he told reporters a day after a pre-Christmas visit to Polish forces serving in Iraq.

“A gradual disengagement of multinational forces could be foreseeable in 2005,” he added.

Poland commands a 9,000-strong multinational force patrolling the centre and south of Iraq and itself has 2,500 soldiers serving there — the fourth largest military contingent after those of the United States, Britain and Italy.

“It is very important to keep the international coalition and ensure the success of the political programme for 2004 and 2005,” including the installation of a new Iraqi government, Mr Kwasniewski said. —AFP